The museum will feature over 850,000 items, including memorabilia from iconic artists such as Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman, and AC/DC's Bon Scott.

Notable artifacts will include Kylie Minogue's gold hot pants from the 'Spinning Around' music video and a costume worn by Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz.

AMPA will initially offer a 500 square meter exhibition space, expanding to approximately 800 square meters in a future phase, and will host two exhibitions annually.

The first exhibition at AMPA will be announced in September 2025, generating public interest ahead of the museum's opening.

Funding for the museum's first phase comes from philanthropic contributions and seed funding from the Victorian Government, totaling NZD$3.79 million.

The Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA) is set to open in December 2025 at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, showcasing a range of rare items from Australia's performing arts history.

Karen Quinlan, CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne, expressed enthusiasm about making the collection more accessible to the public, emphasizing its potential to inspire creativity.

Victoria's Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks MP, highlighted AMPA's role in enhancing Melbourne's status as Australia's cultural capital and inspiring future generations.

The museum aims to preserve and celebrate the ephemeral nature of performing arts, ensuring its history is accessible for future generations.

Curator Sandra Bruce emphasized the importance of sharing untold stories from the collection, which includes items like Nick Cave's notebooks and Ray Lawler's typewriter.

In addition to its permanent collection, AMPA will host touring international showcases, further enriching the cultural experience.

The museum represents a revival of the original Performing Arts Museum that existed in Hamer Hall until the late 1990s, marking a significant milestone for Melbourne's arts community.