Gallery & Function Hire
The Victorian Artists Society's prestigious galleries are available as exhibition and event venues. Exhibitions can be booked for either one or two weeks, while functions and events can be held during the day or evenings subject to availability.
GALLERY HIRE
For 150 years the Victorian Artists Society has been an artistic landmark in Victoria. It is within these walls that young artists including Arthur Streeton, Charles Conder, William Frater, Frederick McCubbin and many others, commenced their journey of brushstrokes, which today form the foundation of Australia’s major art collections in national galleries across Australia.
The Victorian Artists Society's recent full restoration of its National Trust and Heritage listed building has ensured that this historic birthplace of Australian art continues to play an important part in the lives of the art loving community, from the time it opened its doors in 1892 and well into the future.
The Victorian Artists Society building houses three beautiful galleries on the upper level, the Frater, McCubbin and Hammond. The Frater, McCubbin and Hammond galleries offer a stunning back drop for exhibitions featuring all genres of art. Each gallery has 4-metre-high soaring ceilings, heritage architectural details, state of the art gallery lighting and lift access.
Downstairs is the intimate Cato Gallery, which is filled with natural light and suitable for solo or small group exhibitions, along with the Foyer Gallery and Mackley Members Room.
- Seating available for use when hiring the Frater and Hammond galleries.
- A lectern, microphone and built in sound system are available.
- 10 plinths available for sculpture display.
- Kitchen facilities on the ground floor.
- Staff services available to support all aspects of exhibitions and events.
- Coffee cart available for use at openings and events as well as operating gallery hours.
Exhibitions can be booked for either one or two weeks, while functions and events can be held during the day or evenings subject to availability.
Please review our Gallery Hire Terms & Conditions prior to booking.
Please use the form provided below to submit your exhibition proposal. Please note that as of November 2024, best availability is in the Cato Gallery for 2025.
FRATER GALLERY
Our gallery lighting system is lit to showcase all types of artworks in the best light, the Frater gallery offers the largest open space at 14.6m x 8.6m and holds up to 100 people.
HAMMOND GALLERY
The Hammond Gallery has the added benefit of a stage with grand piano, available to use for functions and concerts, and beautiful leadlight windows within its historic alcoves that have access to the balcony, which has a majestic view over Melbourne. The Hammond gallery measures 14.6m x 8.6m and holds up to 80 people.
MCCUBBIN GALLERY
The McCubbin encircles the grand staircase and is the first gallery visitors encounter when going upstairs. This gallery can be hired in conjunction with one of the adjoining galleries.
CATO GALLERY
Filled with natural light and in a convenient downstairs position at the front of the building. The Cato gallery measures 5.2m x 10.6m and has a unique double hanging system.
Exhibition Proposal Form
Book an Event
The Victorian Artists Society galleries are the perfect space for your next corporate or family function, book launch, demonstration, concert, photo-shoot or wedding.
Four beautifully restored heritage galleries are available for hire at an hourly rate. Celebrate or entertain surrounded by exhibitions featuring work by some of the best Australian and International artists.
The VAS galleries are available for daytime or evening hire, with access to kitchen facilities, accessible toilets and elevator access to the upper galleries. Accessible entrance is available through beside the building. Gallery spaces can be left open or seating can be arranged according to the needs of the hirer.
A projector, screen, lectern and microphone can be organised to meet the needs of your event.
Our galleries have a long relationship with the performing arts. World renowned operatic soprano Dame Nellie Melba ran her music conservatorium from the VAS Cato Gallery from 1915 to 1931.
Our stage and grand piano make the Hammond Gallery the perfect setting for performances and presentations.
See the above galleries overview for descriptions of available spaces.
For more information call: 03 9662 1484
email: events@vasgallery.org.au
Event Hire Enquiry Form
Acknowledgment of traditional owners.
We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which our building stands, their leaders, past, present and emerging.