This Month
Meet Tony Ellwood, art’s blockbuster man
Say what you like about the director of the National Gallery Of Victoria – and plenty do – but he has attracted more Australians to art than anybody in history.
‘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 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
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.
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
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.
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
‘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.
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.
‘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
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
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
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
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.
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.
August 2024
Michael Ullmer steps off stormy MSO
Former MSO chairman Michael Ullmer resigned from the orchestra’s International Advisory Board last week.
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
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
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.