From concept to reality
Located in Dublin, Ireland, the Ark was the world’s first children’s art centre. The City of Melbourne embraced the idea of creating a similar centre for Melbourne’s children – and that is how ArtPlay was born.
Through its support of ArtPlay, the City of Melbourne has demonstrated a heartfelt commitment to ensuring its children have opportunities to participate in and contribute to the future direction of city life.
Artplay’s funding partner, the Sidney Myer Fund, contributed toward the establishment of the centre.
A welcoming centre for families and friends
Artplay is housed in a distinct, free-standing building in the heart of the city, next to the Yarra River. Its public location ensures Melburnians have every opportunity to discover ArtPlay.
More studio than classroom, the openness and scale of the building make people feel they can create on a large scale. The blank tables, open spaces and welcoming, natural light give the impression that anything is possible.
ArtPlay’s surrounding playground opened in late 2004. It features decorated walkways, slides, sand areas and a wheelchair swing. Regular workshops at ArtPlay enable children to decorate the playground.
Behind ArtPlay’s bright orange door
If you believe small is beautiful, then ArtPlay will more than fulfil your expectations. Like anything of value in Melbourne, you need to search to discover its secrets.
Sitting in a modest red brick warehouse, the sole remaining building of the Melbourne rail yards, ArtPlay’s simple building belies the complexity of its being. The varied programs played out behind ArtPlay’s bright orange door place creativity at the heart of our future society, our younger generation.
As the location of ArtPlay links Birrarung Marr, the Yarra River and Federation Square back to the city, ArtPlay’s programs also link our young people to the cultures of Chile, South Africa, Indonesia, Sweden, Ireland and New Zealand and other countries around the world.
The strength of ArtPlay is not its modest physical presence but the reach of its ideas.
Rob Adams
Director, Design and Culture
City of Melbourne