Since its founding in 1972, the Potter Museum of Art has been located across a number of sites on the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. The current Swanston Street building was designed by Katsalidis Architects and first opened to the public in 1998. After a period of closure between 2018–2024, the Potter reopens in 2025 with an extension designed by Wood Marsh Architects featuring state of the art teaching and learning studios and upgraded social, events and associated amenities—all of which are accessible through a new, distinctive arched entry on campus.
The Potter has supported generations of artists, curators, writers and academics for over fifty years, making a significant contribution to the cultural and social life of the University and its wider community. Looking forward, the Potter’s exhibitions and public programs, fellowships and residencies, research and publishing activities will be thematically focused and interdisciplinary in approach, continuing to centre the voices of artists and art on the key issues and debates of our time.
The Potter is one of the homes of the University of Melbourne Art Collection, with work spanning antiquity to contemporary practice. While the principal focus of the Collection is Australian art, a range of international works include gifts from distinguished alumni and teaching collections that demonstrate the strong connections between the University’s cultural collections and its academic programs. Notable for its breadth, the Collection – now numbering some 18,000 works – is uniquely connected to the University’s history while also responding to our evolving cultural landscape.
Collection-based learning and art-focused education are at the heart of the University’s art museums activities, including at the Potter, where they were first initiated in 2010. Our dedicated Academic Engagement staff engage and collaborate with the University’s academics and students across all faculties, as well as with visiting schools.
Through these activities encouraging active dialogue and debate, the Potter is uniquely positioned to enrich the cultural lives of its audiences.
Browse the University of Melbourne Art Collection of more than 18,000 works including significant collections of Australian colonial and contemporary art and including major holdings of paintings, prints and drawings, ceramics, and sculpture including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art. Bookmark collection items as you search and email us with research inquiries.
Explore the collection here: https://potter-museum.unimelb.edu.au/
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Tram
The closest tram stop is at Swanston Street and Grattan Street (Stop 1 – University of Melbourne), a short walk from the museum. The Swanston Street trams, including routes 1, 3/3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, and 72.
Train
The nearest train stations are Melbourne Central and Flagstaff. From these stations, you can take a tram along Swanston Street to reach the university.
Bus
Bus routes 402 (East Melbourne to Footscray) and 546 (Heidelberg to University of Melbourne) stop near the Museum.
PARKING
Limited street parking is available around the University of Melbourne campus. For longer visits, Ace Parking (265 Faraday Street) and Eastern Precinct Parking (379 Cardigan Street) offer paid parking and are both within walking distance of the museum.
CYCLING
The University of Melbourne has several bike racks near the Potter Museum. There are bike paths along Swanston Street and Royal Parade for safe access. The closest bike parking spots are at Union House and University Square.
For full details about accessibility at The Potter, visit: https://potter-museum.unimelb.edu.au/visit/accessibility
The Potter Museum of Art is part of the Museums & Collections department at University of Melbourne, forming connections with other collections, galleries and museums at the university as part of the Cultural Commons.
BUXTON CONTEMPORARY
Cover image: John Gollings, The Ian Potter Museum of Art.
Above image: Peter Casamento, Cultural Rubble Illumination.
Potter Museum of Art
University of Melbourne
Corner Swanston Street and Masson Road
Parkville, Victoria 3010
T: 03 8344 5148
E: potter-info@unimelb.edu.au
W: potter-museum.unimelb.edu.au
Opening Hours
The Potter is currently closed - Reopening May 2025
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.
