Melbourne welcomes a major new cultural attraction with the official opening of the Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA) at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. The museum launches with its headline exhibition DIVA, a spectacular international showcase celebrating the world’s most powerful and provocative performers.
While the exhibition is not designed specifically for young children, families with tweens and teens will find plenty to explore, especially those with an interest in music, fashion, theatre and pop culture. For parents, it is also a nice chance to share iconic performers from your own childhood with a new generation.
What Is the Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA)?
AMPA is Arts Centre Melbourne’s newest permanent museum space, located inside Hamer Hall on the banks of the Yarra River. It brings Australia’s rich performance history to life through large-scale exhibitions that blend local stories with major international collections.
The museum draws from the Australian Performing Arts Collection, an extraordinary archive of more than 850,000 objects spanning circus, dance, music, opera, theatre and popular entertainment. Expect rotating exhibitions that showcase costumes, set designs, personal objects, photography and musical artefacts from performers who helped shape Australian culture.
For families, this means AMPA is not a one-off visit. It is a new long-term cultural destination you can return to as new exhibitions open.
What Is the DIVA Exhibition About?
DIVA, developed by London’s world-renowned Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), opens 11 December 2025 as AMPA’s inaugural exhibition. It explores the idea of the “diva” across history, from 19th-century opera stars to today’s global pop icons.
Visitors move through a rich display of more than 250 objects, including 60 spectacular costumes, alongside jewellery, photography, artworks, posters, handwritten lyrics and personal items. The exhibition traces the origin of the word “diva”, meaning goddess in Italian, and shows how it has been challenged, reclaimed and reshaped over time.
Rather than focusing on celebrity gossip, DIVA centres on creativity, ambition, resilience and influence. It shows how performers use voice, fashion and stage presence to challenge expectations and shape culture.
Tip: Look out for the Star Trail plaques, which have kid-friendly, readable information and questions to prompt conversations.
Famous Names Older Kids Instantly Recognise
The exhibition features a line-up that spans generations, making it easy for parents and kids to connect over shared favourites. Artists on display include:
- Kylie Minogue
- Lady Gaga
- Rihanna
- Billie Eilish
- Adele
- Whitney Houston
- Madonna
- Prince
- P!nk
- Björk
- Cher
- Elton John
- Tina Turner
- Maria Callas
- Marilyn Monroe
It is a powerful way for kids to see how today’s pop stars are part of a much longer creative legacy.
Costume Highlights Families Will Love Seeing Up Close
Some of the most talked-about objects in the exhibition include:
- Kylie Minogue’s red outfit from her “Padam Padam” music video (2023)
- Lady Gaga’s periwinkle blue Valentino couture ballgown from the Golden Globes (2019)
- Rihanna’s jewel-encrusted Papal look from the 2018 Met Gala
- Whitney Houston’s black and gold Grammy Awards dress (1994)
- Elton John’s towering Louis XIV-inspired birthday costume (1997)
- Marilyn Monroe’s fringed black dress from Some Like It Hot
- Billie Eilish’s Glastonbury ensemble designed by Stella McCartney
Strong Australian representation also features throughout the exhibition, including objects linked to Jessica Mauboy, Amy Taylor (Amyl and the Sniffers), Dame Nellie Melba, Olivia Newton-John and Chrissy Amphlett.
What Will Interest Older Kids and Teens?
Although DIVA is not a hands-on children’s exhibition, there is plenty to engage older kids, including:
- Iconic pop culture costumes they recognise from music videos and award shows
- Behind-the-scenes stories of how public image and performance are crafted
- A powerful sonic experience throughout the exhibition, featuring music from Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, Prince, Adele and more
- Fashion as identity, showing how performers use clothing to tell stories
- Strong Australian links, particularly through Kylie Minogue and contemporary artists
It naturally opens up conversations about confidence, individuality, fame and creative risk.
Is DIVA Suitable for Kids?
DIVA is best suited to upper primary students and teenagers. There are no dedicated children’s play areas or interactive zones designed for younger kids, and much of the content is presented in a traditional museum format.
Families with an interest in music, fashion, dance, theatre and media studies will gain the most from the experience. The themes are presented thoughtfully, but parents may still wish to guide conversations with younger teens around fame and public image.
Visiting Details for Families
Dates:
DIVA Exhibition: 11 December 2025 – 26 April 2026
Location:
Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA)
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Tickets:
Adult: $30.00
Concession: $28.00
Child (5–15 years): $19.00
Family (Group of 4): $23.00 per person*
BlakTix: $15.00
*Family pricing applies per person when purchasing a group of four.
Opening Hours:
- Weekdays: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
- Weekends: 10:00am – 7:00pm
The central Arts Precinct location makes it easy to combine a visit with a riverside walk, lunch at Southbank or a matinee performance nearby.
What’s Next at AMPA?
Following DIVA, AMPA presents its second major exhibition ENCORE! from June 2026. This exhibition celebrates 50 years of the Australian Performing Arts Collection, showcasing 50 iconic objects including:
- Dame Nellie Melba’s opera cloak
- Ella Havelka’s ballet pointe shoes
- Set models from landmark Australian theatre productions
This confirms AMPA as an ongoing cultural destination for families, not a one-season attraction.
Why Families Should Visit AMPA This Summer
AMPA fills a unique space in Melbourne’s family-friendly attractions. It offers older kids and teens the chance to:
- Connect with history through music and fashion
- See how performers shape popular culture
- Understand the craft behind stage costumes
- Feel inspired by artists who challenged the status quo
For parents, it is also a chance to share the music and performers you grew up with in a fresh, visual way.
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