Welcome to the Cultural Collections of the University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne owns 33 Cultural Collections. The origins of some lie in the earliest years of the University's establishment in the 1850s, while regular new acquisitions keep the collections dynamic and relevant.
The Cultural Collections embody the history of many of the academic disciplines taught at the University of Melbourne, including law, classics, history, languages, medicine, dentistry, botany, zoology, physics, fine arts, music and engineering. Object types include rare books and manuscripts, paintings, sculptures, archives, photographs, medical and dental implements, scientific apparatus, musical instruments, mineral, plant and animal specimens, and ethnographic and archaeological artefacts.
The University encourages the use of the collections by students, staff and the wider community, whether for research, teaching, conversation or enjoyment.
Supporting the Cultural Collections
The University’s 33 cultural collections benefit from the support of alumni, students, staff, philanthropic trusts, corporate sponsors, friends groups and many interested individuals. More information on how you can contribute.
Cultural Policy
| The University's Cultural Policy sets out the guiding principles which assist the University to configure its cultural resources, including its Cultural Collections, to best serve the whole community. |  |
News and Events
Commemoration of the 220th Anniversary of the French Revolution
Sponsored by the Friends of the Baillieu Library in association with the French Embassy in Australia: a free public lecture on Friday 10 July and a seminar on Saturday 11 July. Full details.
2009 Redmond Barry Fellowship Winner Announced
The winner of the 2009 Redmond Barry Fellowship is journalist Andrew Dodd, who will research the Victorian colonial architect John James Clark. Dodd will draw upon the collections of the State Library of Victoria and the University of Melbourne Archives.
The Redmond Barry Fellowship is awarded to scholars and writers to facilitate research and the production of works of literature that utilise the superb collections of the State Library of Victoria and the University of Melbourne.
Current Exhibition - Ancestral power and the aesthetic: Arnhem Land paintings and objects from the Donald Thomson Collection
An exhibition in the Ian Potter Museum of Art, 2 June to 23 August.
Current Exhibition - Everybody loves a road trip!
An exhibition in the Leigh Scott Gallery, Baillieu Library, 27 May to 7 August.
University Calendar Collection Digitised
A newly digitised collection of University of Melbourne Calendars is now available for use by staff, scholars and the community at large. The Calendar is an official University publication that provides general and historical information about The University of Melbourne.