Australia’s premier stage for performing arts, the famed State Theatre at Art Centre Melbourne, is set to open its doors six months ahead of schedule, marking a significant milestone in the $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project.
Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Karen Quinlan, alongside Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks and Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing, announced the celebrated venue, now known as the Ian Potter State Theatre, will reopen in October 2026, welcoming back presenters and performers to the iconic stage.
“The refurbishment of Arts Centre Melbourne’s historic State Theatre is a great milestone,” said Ms Quinlan.
“A significant amount of work has gone into improving the overall comfort and experience for our audiences and to honour the original design by John Truscott. When the auditorium reopens as the Ian Potter State Theatre, we look forward to welcoming home our resident companies and presenters who will benefit from its major upgrades.”
The State Theatre stage is one of the largest in the world, bigger than four tennis courts, and is the home ground of resident companies, The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia.
“This is a huge achievement for Arts Centre Melbourne and the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation,” said Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks.
“We’re excited to welcome performers back to the Ian Potter State Theatre stage ahead of schedule and look forward to reopening this iconic venue – revitalised and more accessible than ever.”
The extensive refurbishment will enhance the theatre experience for more audience members, with vastly improved accessibility, including new seating options across all three levels and the addition of two new lifts.
“We are delighted to be refurbishing a cultural icon at Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, which is creating more than 11,000 jobs and continues to cement our reputation as Australia’s arts and culture capital,” said Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing.
The reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre will be followed by further upgrades to the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres Building, including a new accessible stage door, an expanded loading dock, and new spaces for rehearsals and dining.
“Opera Australia is delighted to return to our Melbourne home at Arts Centre Melbourne,” said Opera Australia CEO Alex Budd. “The refurbished theatre will give our audiences a richer, more vibrant experience of opera at scale.”
Artistic director of The Australian Ballet, David Hallberg, also expressed excitement, saying “We’re thrilled that the Ian Potter State Theatre will reopen ahead of schedule, heralding a new era for artists and audiences alike. We can’t wait to welcome them back to our Melbourne home to experience ballet at its most grand and spectacular.”
The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project, Australia’s largest cultural infrastructure undertaking, also includes the creation of a new expansive 18,000 square metre urban garden, Laak Boorndap, and a new landmark gallery, The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
