Abbotsford Convent

A living place for curiosity and collaboration, meeting and meaning. The heart of a creative community. All are welcome.

Just four kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD and spread over 16 acres, Abbotsford Convent is Australia’s largest multi-arts precinct—a place of art, culture and learning.

Renowned for its rich history, its striking built and natural landscapes, and the remarkable community-led campaign to preserve it from commercial development, the site was enshrined on Australia’s National Heritage List in 2017. Today, this nationally and internationally unique precinct is managed by the Abbotsford Convent Foundation, a not-for-profit, social enterprise.

The Convent is home to a vibrant creative community, wellbeing practitioners, a gallery, cafes, a radio station, two schools, and an abundance of green open space.

We are passionate about working collaboratively with artists and partnering with arts and cultural organisations to present contemporary, thought-provoking and enriching experiences for all to enjoy. Every year, we curate and also welcome over 2,000 art projects, rehearsals, workshops, exhibitions, markets and festivals.

At the Convent we celebrate creativity, inclusivity, wellbeing and community enrichment—both onsite and online. We look forward to welcoming you to our special place!

Contact

Events at Abbotsford Convent

  • Borrow a Brick for Contact Listening

    Created by  Joy Zhou and collaborators

    Genre: Words & Ideas

    Re-experience public space through poetic explorations of sound and language.

    Dates
    10 - 12 Oct
    Time
    12:00pm, 1:00pm (30 min)
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    More Information
    Borrow a Brick for Contact Listening
  • Four Sites

    Curated by  Jo Lloyd

    Genre: Dance & Physical Theatre

    4 remarkable independent choreographers, 4 new works, in 4 distinct locations at Abbotsford Convent.

    Dates
    04 - 05 Oct
    Time
    8:00pm (90 min)
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    More Information
    Four Sites
  • Wheelchair Accessible

    Abbotsford Convent is wheelchair accessible.

    Buildings
    Convent building: One set of the Convent’s doors operates with automatic sensors to provide wheelchair access.
    The Store: For wheelchair access, press the access-signed buzzer on the eastern door to trigger front of house attendants to open the accessible side door to the space.
    Rosina building: With the exception of the stage and backstage area in the Auditorium, all function and venue hire spaces within Rosina building are wheelchair accessible.
    Sacred Heart building: All ground-floor areas are wheelchair accessible, including the Industrial School, the Magdalen Laundry, the Oratory, and the Packing Room.

    Gardens & Grounds
    Access through the gardens and grounds is via mostly bituminised pathways; some are dirt/gravel. Some surfaces within the Convent are difficult to navigate and assistance may be required to ensure wheelchair accessibility

    Eateries
    Staff at all establishments are happy to provide assistance.

    More details on Accessibility can be found here:
    https://abbotsfordconvent.com.au/accessibility/

  • No Hearing Loop

    The venue has no hearing loop.

  • Accessible Bathroom

    This venue has toilets which are accessible for wheelchair users.

  • Step-free access

    This venue has no stairs or all stairs can be bypassed via a ramp, lift or elevator.

  • Accessible Parking

    This venue has a car park with spaces reserved for people with disability.

  • Assistance Dogs allowed

    Assistance dogs are allowed into all parts of this venue.

1-3 St Heliers St

Abbotsford VIC 3067

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