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GALLERIES IN VICTORIA

Castlemaine Art Museum

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Located on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in the foothills of Liyanganyuk Banyul, Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM) is a leading regional institution in the sphere of bold curation, bringing art and objects from the past and present into multilayered conversations, creating a dynamic, inclusive platform for new voices, community connections, reflections and ideas.

Founded in 1913 through community subscription and located within a heritage-listed art deco building since 1931, CAM houses a nationally significant and unique collection of Australian artworks, including important First Nations cultural material from across Australia and a collection of historical artefacts reflecting the early history of the region.

CAM is committed to providing professional exhibition and development opportunities for local artists across Central Victoria. CAM brings together artists and communities of this region and beyond, creating a lively arts institution of national relevance.

Castlemaine Art Museum is a company limited by guarantee and is administered in the public interest to collect, preserve and display works of art, to present their history and background and provide community enrichment. CAM’s directors are a combination of directors elected by CAM’s members and directors appointed by the Board. Private trustees own the building and the collection which CAM administers. State and local government support is provided, and the gallery has a strong tradition of support from benefactors, local families, artists and patrons.

Permanent Collection

Gallery Collection

The Gallery has always specialised in Australian Art. Its particular strength is in major works of the late 1800’s, and the Edwardian era.

Artists from this period include Louis Buvelot, Fred McCubbin, Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Walter Withers, David Davies, E. Phillips Fox, Rupert Bunny, Max Meldrum, Percy Leason, R.W. Sturgess, John Russell, A.M.E. Bale, Hugh Ramsay, Dora Meeson, Clarice Beckett and John Longstaff. Traditional landscape painting is a feature of the collection.

Modern and contemporary artists are also well represented. Modernists include William Frater, Arnold Shore, Margaret Preston, Sybil Craig, Roland Wakelin, Russell Drysdale, Fred Williams, John Brack, Eric Thake, Albert Tucker, John Perceval, Clifton Pugh, Lloyd Rees, Ian Fairweather, Charles Bush, Roger Kemp, Rick Amor, John Dent, Wendy Stavrianos, Ray Crooke, Robert Jacks, Jeffrey Smart, Ian Armstrong, Paul Cavell and Brian Dunlop.

In 1962, with funding from the Estate of Sir John Higgins and his sister, Catherine, a unique collection of Australian ceramics was acquired.

In 1990 the Gallery established a policy to collect photographic images of Australian artists by Australian photographers and now has a quality collection by such noted photographers as Max Dupain, David Moore, Richard Beck, Olive Cotton, May Moore, Pegg Clarke and Michel Lawrence.

Museum Collection

Drawing on the Historical Museum’s collection, the thematic exhibition Camp to City: Castlemaine and Mount Alexander District presents a rich and colourful history. Themes include: indigenous Australians; the goldrush and mining; Chinese on the goldfields; the regions’ development; surrounding towns; prominent early citizens; 20th century Castlemaine and much more.

The museum also boasts a wonderful collection of historical artworks, photographs, costumes, decorative arts and objects specifically relating to the Mount Alexander district.

The display includes a collection of decorative enamelled metalwork by Stanley J. Ellis, a local craftsman and teacher, covering the period from the 1930s through to the late 1950s.

Online collection
getting to the gallery

Getting here by foot

A short 1 min walk from the Castlemaine Post Office on Barker Street, or 5 min walk up Kennedy street from the Castlemaine train station.

Getting here by train

Vline Bendigo trains stop at Castlemaine, check the timetable here.

Connect to the Victorian Goldfields Railway to travel between Maldon and Castlemaine by historic steam train.

Parking

All day and two hour parking is available on Lyttleton street.

Access at the rear of the building

There is an additional entrance and exit at the rear of the building for deliveries and as alternative access for visitors requiring wheelchair access . This is reached via the signed service road on the eastern side of the building, press the security intercom for access. A lift is available to the museum.

Service animals are welcome.

accessibility

Access at the rear of the building

There is an additional entrance and exit at the rear of the building for deliveries and as alternative access for visitors requiring wheelchair access . This is reached via the signed service road on the eastern side of the building, press the security intercom for access. A lift is available to the museum.

Service animals are welcome.


Images: 
Cover: Castlemaine Art Museum building facade, photo by Adrian Thia. Above: Installation view, Melinda Harper: In Conversation with the Collection, 2021, Castlemaine Art Museum. Credit: Julie Millowick.

Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM)
14 Lyttleton St
Castlemaine VIC 3450
Telephone: 03 5472 2292
E: info@castlemaineartmuseum.org.au
W: Visit website

Opening Hours
Thursday-Saturday
11am–4pm
Sunday
12pm–4pm

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Exhibitions

EXHIBITION CAM Len Fox Painting Award 2024
2024 Len Fox Painting Award
27 Sep 2024 – 2 Mar 2025
Castlemaine Art Museum

The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our office is located, and all Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enduring traditions and continuing creative cultures. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly organisation that celebrates diversity. We are committed to providing safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive services for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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