Over the years, Sydney and Melbourne have become known as the art capitals of Australia. With the vast array of exhibitions, galleries, and events available, it’s no surprise that the art scene in both cities is booming. In this article, we will take a closer look at why the art scene in Sydney and Melbourne is growing, and explore the various elements that contribute to its success.
The Increasing Popularity of Contemporary, Digital, and Street Art
When discussing the art scenes in both cities, it’s important to consider the surge in popularity of modern art forms such as contemporary art, digital art, and street art. These mediums are all relatively new, but they have gained significant traction in the art world.
Contemporary art has become extremely popular, with some of the most recognisable names in the art world embracing the contemporary form. For example, the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair and the Melbourne Art Fair feature works from some of the most renowned and innovative contemporary artists. There are also numerous art galleries in both cities devoted to the exhibition and sale of contemporary art.
Digital art has also seen an increase in popularity, as more and more artists use the medium to express themselves. In both cities, digital art galleries and events are increasing, such as the Netbase Digital Art Festival in Sydney, and Digital Harbour in Melbourne.
Street art has also seen a surge of popularity, with large scale murals appearing in inner-city suburbs, and small scale pieces featuring in tiny alleyways. This form of art has truly become an integral part of Sydney and Melbourne’s urban landscapes.
The Arts Centres in Both Cities
The arts centres in both Sydney and Melbourne play a crucial role in the increasing popularity of art in both cities. These centres provide venues for a variety of art forms including theatre, dance, spoken word, music, films, and exhibitions. From small-scale festivals and performances to large-scale events and exhibitions, these spaces have become a sanctuary for inspiring and creative minds. Not only do they provide a platform for local and international artists, but they also educate and inspire the next generation of creative minds.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic and beloved venues in the city, hosting world-class performances, exhibitions and workshops. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney is another essential asset to the city’s art scene, showcasing cutting-edge exhibitions and offering engaging programs for visitors.
In Melbourne, the Arts Centre Melbourne is a major arts hub, with multiple spaces dedicated to a variety of cultural performances and exhibitions. The National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre Markets are two other major venues for art in Melbourne, both offering inspiring and thought-provoking exhibitions and inspiring programs.
The Education Institutions in Sydney and Melbourne
The art scene in both cities is also heavily supported by the thriving education sector. In both cities, there are numerous outstanding art schools, universities and study abroad programs available. These institutions provide students with comprehensive and engaging programs in different fields such as design, visual arts, photography, film and theatre.
In Sydney, UNSW Art & Design is one of the leading art schools in Australia, offering a wide range of art courses and workshops for aspiring visual artists. Macquarie University in Sydney also offers an array of courses for those interested in art, media and communication.
In Melbourne, the Victorian College of the Arts and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) are two prominent art schools, both offering a wide selection of courses and programs for aspiring artists. RMIT also has a number of programs specific to international students, ensuring that all cultural backgrounds can benefit from their education.
The Role of Art Collectives
The flourishing art scene in both cities has also been heavily aided by the emergence of numerous art collectives. These collective have become essential in providing venues and platforms for both aspiring and established artists.
In Sydney, collectives such as the Firstdraft, The Commercial, UNSW Galleries, and Artspace Waverley have become invaluable in fostering an environment in which arts and culture (visual, performing and digital) thrive. These collectives have regularly hosted events, workshops and exhibitions across both cities, and have made art accessible to the entire community.
In Melbourne, the iconic West Space, Y3K, Seventh Gallery and Creature Creature are some of the key organisations that have promoted creativity and diverse cultures in the city. These collective, as well as many others, have created a space for both local and international artists to experiment and explore their craft.
As we can see, the art scene in both Sydney and Melbourne is growing every day. The combination of modern art forms, such as contemporary, digital and street art, thriving educational institutions, and the emergence of numerous art collectives, has contributed immensely to the art scene in both cities. In the future, Sydney and Melbourne will continue to be renowned art capitals, and will remain focal points for the creative industries in Australia.