Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Narrm, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to Elders of all First Nations communities that visit MCEC.

Gala reimagined. Bold flavours, big energy, Melbourne style.

Explore the Offer!
article_art-in-and-around-our-venue_hero-banner
Back to Stories and ideas

Art in and Around Our Venue

By Bree Pagliuso|

If there’s one thing Melbourne does well, it’s art. It’s in our laneways, the galleries, the festivals. It’s on the walls, in conversations over long blacks, and in the fabric of our city.

article_art-in-and-around-our-venue_art-2

At MCEC, art here isn’t just something you visit—it’s something you experience. It's where big ideas and creative expression collide, where art finds a home as big as its ambition.  

And this month?

We’re serving up some of the most exciting art moments in the city. From groundbreaking mixed-reality performances to large-scale installations and immersive exhibitions, it’s all happening right here. 

article_art-in-and-around-our-venue_lume
Melbourne Art Fair | 20–23 February 2025 

Walk into Melbourne Art Fair , and the energy is electric. Walls alive with bold new works. Voices that challenge and inspire. With 70 top galleries and Indigenous art centres, this year’s fair puts First Peoples artists and pioneering female curators front and centre. 

Inside, and you’ll find: 

  • BEYOND: Three large-scale installations that push the limits of contemporary art, set within the vast spaces of MCEC. 

  • VIDEO: A collection of thought-provoking moving-image works from international and Australian artists, exploring everything from memory to digital culture. 

  • CONVERSATIONS: Critical discussions featuring artists, curators, and cultural leaders, digging deep into the future of art. 

If you’re looking for what’s next in the art world, this is where you’ll find it. 

article_art-in-and-around-our-venue_art
Arts Project Australia Workshops | 20–23 February  

Feel like getting your hands dirty—in the best possible way? Arts Project Australia (APA) is bringing interactive workshops to Melbourne Art Fair, inviting everyone, from total beginners to seasoned creatives, to dive into the art-making process. 

What’s on: 

  • Digital Drawing – Swipe, sketch, and bring your vision to life with APA’s artists. 

  • Soft Sculpture – Stitch, shape, and create something unexpected. 

  • Fan Factor (21 Feb) – A listening and drawing party where music sets the mood. 

No rules, no barriers—just pure creative energy. Jump in and make something. 

article_art-in-and-around-our-venue_kagami-1
KAGAMI: Ryuichi Sakamoto + Tin Drum | 19 February – 16 March  

This isn’t just a concert. This isn’t just an exhibition. This is something entirely new. 

KAGAMI is the final performance from legendary Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto—except he’s not here. Or is he? Using cutting-edge mixed reality technology, this immersive experience places you inside the music. Put on a headset and suddenly, you’re not just watching Sakamoto play—you’re right there with him. It’s intimate, breathtaking, and completely redefining what performance art can be. 

Presented by Asia TOPA and Arts Centre Melbourne, this Australian-exclusive season at MCEC is a must for anyone who loves music, technology, or simply being transported. 

article_art-in-and-around-our-venue_kagami-2
Art Lives Here 

Melbourne’s art scene doesn’t sit still, and neither do we.  

Whether it’s a cutting-edge fair, a mixed reality masterpiece, or an immersive sensory feast, the most exciting cultural moments of the month are happening right here. 

So, if you’re looking for Melbourne’s creative pulse this February, you’ve found it. 

See you inside. 

Looking for more on what’s happening at MCEC? Explore our What’s On  

Love this?

Get what’s on, what’s good, what’s next at MCEC—straight to your inbox.

Subscribe