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Arts

This Month

Christine Christian is resigning as the first female chair of the Victorian State Library.

‘It’s been one of the hardest things we’ve had to deal with’

Christine Christian is preparing to end her time at the State Library of Victoria, leaving behind an institution reformed in more ways than one.

Pianist Jayson Gillham.

Pianist furore leads to record losses for Melbourne Symphony

The discrimination suit bought by pianist Jayson Gillham after he was cancelled over pro-Palestinian comments helped inflict a record $3.3 million deficit on the orchestra in 2024.

May

Jane Hansen’s idea for a matched funding campaign helped Melbourne Theatre Company avoid a loss in 2024.

Rich Lister puts Melbourne Theatre Company in the black

An unusual fundraiser rescued Victoria’s largest theatre company, but donations declined at number two Malthouse after a controversial year.

The ballet biography of Oscar Wilde - seen here with his ‘nightingale’ - was a hit amid a financially forgettable 2024 for The Australian Ballet.

More arts red ink as The Australian Ballet loses $9.1m

The forced move out of Melbourne’s State Theatre has proved costly, even for its side-hustle as a carpark operator.

March

Daddy Warbucks (Anthony Warlow) and Annie (Lucille Le Meledo) in rehearsal for John Frost’s 2025 production.

From Annie to Zimmer: the must-see shows to catch in April

Take a break from the hard-knock life with our monthly selection of the best live entertainment around the country.

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The Australian Ballet’s new executive director, Claire Spencer, alongside artistic director David Hallberg, whose contract has just been extended another five years.

Australian Ballet appointments a show of faith

The artistic director’s contract extension comes as the major performing arts company also gets a new executive director, after being without one for almost a year.

February

Rachel Griffiths plays a brothel madam in a new Nine series.

‘I made smart decisions, I didn’t want to be poor’: Rachel Griffiths

The actor did her time in Hollywood and now calls her own shots, including producing a new series that looks at brothel life in a uniquely lighthearted way.

Green Day: Tre Cool, Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt are punk culture talismans - with a sideline in Seinfeld-friendly ballads.

Seven shows you must see in March

From a Michael Jackson musical to an anniversary tour of Green Day’s breakthrough album, there are plenty of performances to get you off the couch.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra chair, Edgar Myer

‘He was Switzerland’: Edgar Myer to chair MSO as court battle looms

The anthropologist and lawyer turned fund manager and philanthropist takes the orchestra’s helm ahead of a court date with pianist Jayson Gillham.

January

Nigel Bennett at the Barbican, London.

This star British gardener has big plans for Melbourne

Horticulturalist Nigel Dunnett is about to embark on his first project outside Britain – the Laak Boorndap garden in the new Melbourne Arts Precinct.

Robbie Williams calls ABC ‘twits’ after movie promotion criticism

The English pop star held a surprise performance in Melbourne, where he lashed the public broadcaster for criticising him for promoting his new biopic.

December 2024

New Year’s Eve fireworks over Sydney Harbour at the beginning of 2024.

Got $10k? Here are some exclusive NYE locations still available

Hotel rooms and restaurants with a view of Sydney Harbour are extremely limited this year, but there are some spots still available.

November 2024

“Dancing Pumpkin” by Yayoi Kusama was unveiled on Saturday in the National Gallery of Victoria’s front forecourt.

Polka-dotted pumpkin could be NGV’s most expensive piece of art

The Smorgon family operates Australia’s biggest glasshouse, so their financing of the five-metre sculpture by 95-year-old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, worth over $10 million, makes sense.

October 2024

Artistic director Anne-Louise Sarks (left) and actor/writer Sheridan Harbridge teamed up to write and direct the Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of My Brilliant Career.

Diary alert: Shows to catch in November

My Brilliant Career becomes a musical, a guest guitarist turns the ACO into house-music hedonists, and a pioneer of abstract art looks back.

Left: Pianist Jayson Gillham. Right: MSO managing director Sophie Galaise.

Sacked orchestra chief may have to pay pianist $18k

Jayson Gillham is going after the Melbourne Symphony’s former managing director, and current COO, as part of his discrimination suit against the orchestra.

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August 2024

Lendlease chairman Michael Ullmer: reducing his commitments

Michael Ullmer steps off stormy MSO

Former MSO chairman Michael Ullmer resigned from the orchestra’s International Advisory Board last week.

Paul Becker, the founder and CEO of Art Money, has run out of operating capital.

Christie’s-backed art fintech puts finishing touches on recap

It also opened a $US50 million debt book opportunity alongside the equity round and told backers it would be open to a sale or join venture discussions.

April 2024

“Backstage looks different these days”: Frontier Touring chief executive Dion Brandt and chief operating office Susan Heymann

Forget sex, drugs and rock’n’roll: kale and kombucha take over touring

Frontier Touring has a new-look team, but it’s not the only thing in the music biz that has changed.

March 2024

Peter Atkins and Dana Harris in their home and studio amongst their collection of Clement Meadmore’s iconic industrial designs.

Local Vinnies a treasure trove for early pieces by renowned sculptor

From Detroit to local markets, two Melbourne artists spent 25 years assembling an unrivalled collection of mid-century design pieces by Clement Meadmore.

Brad Pitt road-tripping with photographer Ryan McGinley for GQ magazine.

Why the biggest celebrities in the world trust this photographer

New York-based artist Ryan McGinley has road-tripped with Brad Pitt, hung out with Kate Moss and got Troye Sivan to strip. Now he’s in Melbourne to explain what drives him.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/melbourne-arts-5z8