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Australia’s music history is to be showcased at a new permanent exhibition space dedicated to sharing the story of Australian contemporary music.

The music industry's 15-year dream for a music ‘hall of fame’ will be realised at the Australian Music Vault, thanks to a $22.2 million grant from the Victorian Government’s Music Works program.

Created in collaboration with the music industry, the Australian Music Vault will include a free exhibition exploring the history and future of Australian music, education programs, a fully integrated digital program and displays of significant memorabilia from people, events and places that define Australian music.

Due to open in November 2017, the hall of fame will be constructed in the Centre’s Gallery 1 space, which has previously hosted the likes of Nick Cave: The Exhibition (2007) and AC/DC: Australia’s Family Jewels (2009).

Its current exhibition, Kylie on Stage, welcomed more than 150,000 visitors in just two months.

Arts Centre Melbourne is already home to an extensive Australian music collection as part of Performing Arts Collection, the nation’s leading specialist collection documenting Australia’s circus, dance, music, opera and theatre heritage.

Established in 1975 and now formally recognised as a State collection, it consists of over 600,000 items including costumes, designs, programs, photographs, posters, personal memorabilia and archival material.

Commenting on the initiative, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley stated “the industry has been calling for a hall of fame for many years and we’re proud to be working with the industry to make it a reality.

“The Australian Music Vault will be a place for music lovers, tourists and artists. It will celebrate the history of Australian music and be a place for the music legends of tomorrow.”

Minister Foley also announced the Australian Music Vault’s founding patrons – pivotal music industry figures, Kylie Minogue, Michael Gudinski, Archie Roach and Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum – with the exhibition to be supported by an advisory body with members from across the industry including APRA Chair Jenny Morris, ARIA Chief Exectuive Dan Rosen and Australian Music Industry Network Chair Patrick Donovan.

As well as its theatres and concert hall, Arts Centre Melbourne also manages the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, which in 1967 hosted a homecoming concert for pop group The Seekers attended by more than 200,000 people – the biggest music event ever held in Australia.

Commenting on this music heritage, Arts Centre Melbourne Chief Executive Claire Spencer stated “music is in our blood at Arts Centre Melbourne and we are thrilled to be partnering with the Victorian Government and the music industry to realise this exciting project.

“Music is a quintessential part of the Melbourne experience and we can’t wait to unlock the stories of Australian music by giving life to the Australian Music Vault.”

In his role as one of the patrons of the Music Vault today, Michael Gudinski, Chairman of the Mushroom Group, added “Australian music has created and underpinned some of the great moments in our nation’s history.

“From the political to the celebratory, the power and influence of music on our culture is undeniable.

“Creating a permanent home to honour our rich and diverse music landscape has been a passion of mine for many years and I’m so proud that the Australian Music Vault will be housed in Australia’s undisputed music capital.”

An Australian Country Music Hall of Fame already exists in Tamworth, NSW.

Images: The Arts Centre Melbourne by night (top) and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl (below).

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