Arts Centre Melbourne
Venue information
Your questions, answered
What work has been done to the Ian Potter State Theatre?
Arts Centre Melbourne's Ian Potter State Theatre reopens in October 2026, refreshed from stage to seat. Enhancements to the Ian Potter State Theatre include improved acoustics, upgraded heating and ventilation, high-performance sound systems, energy-efficient lighting, and new aisles and accessible seating in the stalls. Heritage characteristics within the theatre have been preserved or replicated, while the addition of modern design and technological elements have brought the auditorium up to contemporary standards.
Why have the Ian Potter State Theatre's physical seats been replaced?
After 40 forty years of use, the original velvet seats in the Ian Potter State Theatre were showing signs of wear and had reached the end of their life. The new seats honour John Truscott’s original design and aesthetic, while providing improved accessibility, comfort and materials that better support the acoustics of the auditorium.
Where can I find information about returning to Arts Centre Melbourne with a Melbourne Season Package?
You can find detailed answers to our Welcome Home Event and Melbourne Season Package FAQs here.
Ian Potter State Theatre Seating
Premium+ Reserve: the finest seats in the theatre, offering the most sought-after views from the centre of the front Dress Circle. These seats provide an exceptional perspective of the performance and are available in very limited numbers.
Premium Reserve: centrally positioned seats in high demand that have excellent views.
A-Reserve: excellent seats that offer clear and unrestricted views.
B-Reserve: very good seats located further from the stage. Some seats may have minor limitations of the extreme sides of the stage, though the performance remains clearly visible.
C-Reserve: good-value seats located further to the side or rear of the auditorium. Patrons may miss some action or staging details at the outer edges of the performance area.
D-Reserve: seats located in the rear balcony or at the sides of the auditorium. These seats may have restricted views of sections of the stage and some production elements, with a greater impact on sightlines than C-Reserve seating.
E-Reserve: the most economical seats in the theatre, located furthest from the stage. These seats have the most restricted sightlines and patrons may miss a portion of action occurring at the sides of the stage or certain production elements.
Plan your visit
Public transport
The closest train stations are Flinders Street Station and Town Hall Station. The tram routes that stop in front of Arts Centre Melbourne are: 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72. This stop is number 14 – “Arts Precinct ”.
Parking
Parking is available at The Australian Ballet Centre Car Park, located behind Arts Centre Melbourne on Kavanagh Street. A temporary pedestrian bridge connects The Australian Ballet Centre and Arts Centre Melbourne. To access the bridge, take the car park lift to Level 4. Arts Centre Melbourne’s car park is also available and can be accessed via Kavanagh Street or Southbank Boulevard.
Bicycle lanes run north and south along St Kilda Road. On-street bicycle hoops are available outside Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building.
Cloaking
The cloakroom is located in the Smorgon Family Plaza on Level 5 of the Theatres Building (the building with the big spire). This is one level below street, or the same level as the entrance into the building from the Arts Centre Melbourne car park.
The Theatres building cloakroom opens 75 minutes before a show in the Ian Potter State Theatre and closes 30 minutes after the conclusion of that performance.
Photography and audio/video recording
Please refrain from taking photos or recording audio/video during the performance. You're welcome to capture the curtain call, when our performers are taking their bows. We'd love for you to share your photos and videos and tag us at @ausballet so we can celebrate with you.
Accessibility at Arts Centre Melbourne
Wheelchair access
All levels of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building are wheelchair accessible. Please inform The Australian Ballet Customer Experience Team or the Arts Centre Melbourne Box Office of your requirements when booking tickets. If you would like to arrange assistance to transfer out of a wheelchair or would like to book a wheelchair to use throughout the building, please call 1300 182 183 at least 24 hours before your performance.
For more information, please visit Arts Centre Melbourne's accessibility webpage.
Assistive listening devices
A Hearing Loop is available at Arts Centre Melbourne. Devices that connect to the Hearing Loop are available free of charge, including neck loops for people with hearing aids and standard headphones for people without hearing aids.
To borrow a device, please speak to an Arts Centre Melbourne team member before your performance. You’ll be asked to provide a driver’s licence or similar form of identification, which will be held for the duration of the loan.
Audio description
In conjunction with Vision Australia, we offer an audio description service for vision-impaired patrons for selected performances. Please contact our Customer Experience Team on 1300 369 741 for further details.
Assistance animals
Assistance animals are permitted into all areas of Arts Centre Melbourne. Water bowls are available on request.
National Companion Card scheme
The Australian Ballet supports the National Companion Card scheme. For more information about the Companion Card, visit companioncard.vic.gov.au. To book tickets using your Companion Card, please call us on 1300 369 741.
Terms and conditions
All patrons are bound by the Art Centre Melbourne's conditions of entry. Admittance is subject to the venue's COVID safe plan at time of entry. For more information about Arts Centre Melbourne, visit their website or call Arts Centre Melbourne on 1300 182 183.