Melbourne to come alive After Dark

Our city’s most famous cultural institutions will come alive with a weekend of late-night programming as part of a new push from the Victorian Government to stimulate inner-city spending.

Art After Dark Melbourne will see the likes of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Fed Square, Arts Centre Melbourne and Melbourne Museum, among others, extend their opening hours until 1am from May 13 to 15.

The concept, which is inspired by Europe’s Night of Museums, is expected to inject millions of dollars into the economy as tens of thousands of visitors converge on Melbourne’s CBD for a mixture of free and paid experiences, including visual and performing arts, public programs, installations, live music, food and drink.

Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said reimagining our city and its many cultural organisations outside of their traditional prisms would be crucial in maintaining Melbourne’s claim as the nation’s creative capital.

“Our investment in this major new event is supporting jobs in the creative and tourism sectors, while offering another exciting reason for Victorians to rediscover everything Melbourne’s night-time economy has to offer,” Mr Pearson said.

“Art After Dark Melbourne will bring tens of thousands of people into the CBD, bringing with them a significant boost to hotels, cafes, bars, restaurants and retail shops across the city.”

Held in partnership with Visit Victoria, Art After Dark Melbourne will also provide a crucial platform for Melbourne’s hard-hit creative industries as they continue through their post-COVID recovery phase.

For more information: visitvictoria.com/artafterdark •