The Lume Melbourne announces permanent closure after five huge years

One of the city's most significant cultural attractions, The Lume, will close it's doors permanently from June 1.

The announcement comes after five years of producing world-class immersive cultural experiences for 1.5 million visitors.

The company behind it, Grande Experiences, is a global leader and the pioneer in projection-based immersive exhibitions, and is reportedly embarking on an ambitious new chapter – harnessing new technologies to redefine the future of cultural storytelling on a global scale.

Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.

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During its time in Melbourne, The Lume played a transformative role in the city’s cultural landscape, drawing 1.5 million visitors, providing employment for over 100 staff members and generating an estimated $180 million to the Victorian economy.

With celebrated exhibitions including VAN GOGH, Monet & Friends, Connection, and Leonardo da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius, The Lume set a new benchmark for immersive cultural storytelling in Australia, uniquely weaving together art, music, movement, and technology.

“THE LUME Melbourne has been a defining chapter in Australia’s cultural landscape – a place where art, innovation, and imagination came to life for millions of visitors. We are deeply grateful to our team, our partners, and every guest who stepped
through our doors.” said Bruce Peterson, Founder and Chair of Grande Experiences and CEO of The Lume Melbourne.

“As we look to the future, we see an opportunity to once again redefine immersive storytelling. Rather than simply continuing, we are choosing to evolve – embracing new technologies that will take cultural experiences to even greater heights.”

Grande Experiences has exhibited 280 times across six continents, displaying in 34 languages, reaching 25 million visitors.

While The Lume Melbourne may be closing soon, Grande Experiences will continue with The Lume Indianapolis in the United States, along with eight other permanent and temporary cultural experiences worldwide.

Grande Experiences has received interest from other states in Australia to establish new locations for The Lume, though no commitments have been made at this time.

Before The Lume Melbourne closes its doors, visitors have one last chance to experience it at its most breathtaking, plus get a glimpse of the next era of immersive experiences from Grande with ‘Finding Vincent’ – a world-first, multi-user shared VR experience that pushes the boundaries of digital storytelling, allowing guests to step inside Van Gogh’s world like never before.

Doubling down on its commitment to making art more accessible, The Lume Melbourne has introduced Family Sundays, where kids go free – creating the perfect opportunity for families to share in the wonder of immersive art.

Immerse yourself in art with The Lume Melbourne one last time before it shuts it’s doors.