Reopening of Melbourne’s ACMI reveals the world of screen culture

Australia’s national museum of screen culture, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Melbourne’s Federation Square has reopened to visitor a following a $40 million physical and digital transformation.

Taking almost two years, the redevelopment of the screen museum has seen it undergo architectural, structural and technological upgrades to keep up with the rapidly-changing screen world.

The redevelopment, designed in collaboration with award-winning Melbourne architects BKK, has seen the attraction transformed with new and improved exhibitions, facilities, artworks and cutting-edge technologies that celebrate and explore screen culture.

At the heart of the new ACMI is The Story of the Moving Image, a major free exhibition that takes 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 curators, exhibition designers and innovators have created an experience that blends physical and digital in ways not seen before in Australia. A unique handheld device - the Lens - allows visitors to ‘collect’ objects of interest as they move through the museum.

ACMI’s new learning labs - the Gandel Digital Future Labs - are set to inspire Victorian students and will help shape future generations of screen creatives.

More than $1 million has been invested in moving image artworks, including 15 new commissions. A major new work by Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong artist Vicki Couzens bookends the new exhibition.

The Blackmagic Design Media Preservation Lab brings into the public eye ACMI’s vital hidden work of preserving moving image material, old and new, and safeguarding it for the future.

Officially reopening the ACMI this week, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, Danny Pearson stated “Victorians are hungry for creative experiences and ACMI’s reopening will entice more visitors back to the heart of Melbourne with new interactive and immersive exhibitions.”

“This redevelopment will further cement ACMI’s position as one of Victoria’s key creative institutions and one of the world’s best screen museums.”

General admission, which includes the Story of the Moving Image is free to attend but to keep visitors COVIDSafe, ticketed session times are available with limited capacities.

Images credit: ACMI.