Mildura Arts Centre has a long artistic history dating back to 1944 when a large art collection was bequeathed to the local council by Senator R D Elliott. After searching for a suitable location to house the collection, council purchased the historic Rio Vista house in 1950 and converted it into the beloved centre.
Alongside the original Rio Vista Historic House, the centre now encompasses a performing arts theatre, gallery, and a sculpture park on the lawn. ‘It’s a fantastic setting,’ said Antonette Zema, Arts and Culture Development manager at Mildura Arts Centre.
The combination of local history and contemporary infrastructure is a drawcard for the local community and visitors alike who come to wander through the historic house and see the rotating exhibition program in the gallery.
‘We present a program in the visual arts that has a strong permanent collection and supports local emerging artists as well as visiting and touring exhibitions across the five spaces in the gallery,’ said Zema.
‘Our program selection aims to present a diverse program of productions around the year so there is something for everyone in the community to experience and have access to.’
Photo by Fleur Ruddick​; Image supplied.
Building relationships and collaborating with metropolitan arts organisations has been integral to realising Mildura Arts Centre’s mission to enhance access to the arts in the region.
Partnerships with Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne Theatre Company, and educational institutions such as La Trobe University have allowed the Centre to capitalised on its regional location and provide cutting edge arts programming for its audiences.
‘We aim to partner and collaborate with various organisations to increase accessibility and participation to different events, exhibitions and production, public programs and workshop opportunities and to support local arts and culture initiatives. Mildura has quite a large visual arts network and a strong performing arts network as well.
‘This year Mildura Arts Centre celebrates our Diamond Jubilee, 60 years in May, the arts have always been a big part of the culture here in Mildura. We’re the catalyst for bringing all that together in the region,’ Zema concluded.
To find out more about Mildura Arts Centre visit http://www.milduraartscentre.com.au/
