Following a multi-million dollar transformation of Australia’s national museum of screen culture backed by the Victorian Government, ACMI has announced it will re-open its doors to the public in February next year.
The $40 million redevelopment has been five years in the making and has created more than 100 jobs across the construction and the creative industries. The project has reimagined the Federation Square building – making it more open and welcoming with new spaces, facilities and attractions.
“Screen culture has never been more central to our lives and ACMI tells the story of where it has come from and where it is going in exciting, imaginative and interactive ways,” said Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson.
“Prior to the redevelopment, ACMI was one of the most visited museums of its kind in the world. We can’t wait to welcome these visitors and a new generation of ACMI fans.”
At the heart of the new ACMI is The Story of the Moving Image – a major free exhibition that will take audiences on an immersive journey into the past, present and future of the moving image.
The exhibition brings to life key moments of screen history through interactive experiences including animating shadows, crafting optical toys, assembling film scenes, creating soundscapes and more.
ACMI’s world-leading team of curators, exhibition designers and innovators have created an experience that blends the physical and digital in ways not seen before in Australia.
Visitors will receive a unique handheld device – The Lens – that they can use to ‘collect’ objects of interest throughout the museum. They can then use this to continue to explore ACMI’s riches once they get home.
The new ACMI also includes:
- A major new work by Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong artist Vicki Couzens that bookends the new exhibition
- The new high-tech Gandel Digital Future Labs for schools and young people, fostering next-generation creatives through education
- State-of-the-art cinemas showing the best of Australian and international screen culture.
- A media preservation lab to bring the vital hidden work of ACMI’s collection into the public eye.
The Government has invested $36.6 million in the redevelopment which has also received generous corporate and philanthropic support.
“Through this visionary transformation, with the support of the Victorian Government and our partners, ACMI can’t wait to reopen with a stunning museum and ground-breaking free exhibition,” said ACMI Director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick OAM.
ACMI will re-open to the public on Thursday 11 February 2021. For more information, visit: www.acmi.net.au for details.
Image: Media Preservation Lab (Artist Impression) – courtesy of ACMI