Melbourne City, Victoria, boasts a vibrant arts scene with over 100 art galleries, ranging from large public galleries to smaller independent commercial galleries and artist-run spaces. Some of the must-visit galleries in Melbourne include the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, NGV International, Australian Centre of Contemporary Art (ACCA), and Buxton Contemporary. The NGV, housed in an imposing Brutalist building, features blockbuster exhibitions and a remarkable permanent collection with works by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Dali, Bonnard, and Tiepolo.
The Ian Potter Centre at NGV Australia is the world's first major gallery dedicated solely to Australian art, showcasing both indigenous and non-indigenous works. NGV International offers a diverse selection of international art, presenting engaging works from around the world. The Australian Centre of Contemporary Art (ACCA) is a contemporary gallery committed to showcasing groundbreaking exhibitions by local and international artists. Buxton Contemporary focuses on contemporary art from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing works from the 1960s to the present day.
Melbourne's compact arts precinct, situated in Flinders Lane and city-fringe suburbs like Fitzroy, Collingwood, Prahran, and Windsor, serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the city's galleries and cooperatives. The city's outdoor art scene includes large-scale sculptures at the Heide Museum of Modern Art and Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park, in addition to various public art and street art installations.