RMIT Gallery

RMIT Gallery is a public contemporary art venue in Melbourne’s CBD, housed within the historic Storey Hall at RMIT University. Its programme brings together exhibitions by emerging and established artists and curators, while also presenting RMIT’s research, cultural stories and student-focused work. Entry is free, making it an easy addition to a city visit near the State Library of Victoria and Melbourne Central.

The gallery has a long connection with Melbourne’s cultural life. It opened in 1977 with an inaugural exhibition by John Brack and was refurbished in 1996. Storey Hall’s past as a site of social and political activism adds context to its current role as an exhibition venue. The result is a space where contemporary art, design research and university life meet, rather than a gallery focused on one permanent collection or a single artistic style.

Its programme ranges across exhibitions, talks, tours and other events. The listed 2026 programme includes exhibitions examining conceptual art, digital life, architecture and urban design, memory, gendered histories, ceramics, and Trawoolway-led art practice. Events include curator-led walkthroughs, conversations with artists and researchers, and a cello performance, giving visitors ways to engage with the ideas behind the exhibitions as well as viewing the work. Check the current programme before visiting, as exhibitions and events change.

RMIT Gallery suits solo visitors who want to spend time with contemporary work at their own pace, as well as students, educators and members of the wider public. Schools and other groups of 10 or more can arrange a visit in advance; bookings are required at least two weeks ahead, and introductory talks may be available for groups depending on staff capacity. Primary and secondary school visits require adult supervision, with specified teacher-to-student ratios. For a broader RMIT art visit, the university also operates the Design Hub Gallery in Carlton and First Site, its student gallery, but RMIT Gallery itself is the Storey Hall venue at 344 Swanston Street.