In sad news for Melbourne’s culture scene, the Lume – the world’s largest digital art gallery and the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – is officially closing its doors in 2026.
Created by local Grande Experiences and located in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), the Lume has played host to a breathtaking array of groundbreaking exhibitions since it first opened in 2021, including Connection (which won the Impact Award at the 2024 Time Out Melbourne Arts & Culture Awards) and Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius (which featured original pages of the Codex Atlanticus that are so priceless they can only be shown for three months at a time).
It was also just announced that the inaugural exhibition, Van Gogh, will return for an encore season from December 26. This dreamy, kaleidoscopic collection of the painter’s most famous works attracted a whopping 1.8 million visitors between Australia and New Zealand during its original stint, making it the region’s most visited ticketed cultural event.
The announcement of the Lume’s impending closure came via a letter sent to staff, informing them of the complex and difficult decision not to renew the lease at MCEC. Reasons cited include the challenging economic landscape in Melbourne, ongoing costs to reinvest in updated technologies and changes to the suitability of the venue.
A following statement read: "The Lume Melbourne’s lease at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was up for renewal in January 2026, and we have made the decision to not extend the lease beyond that time. This decision, made in alignment with our parent company, Grande Experiences, reflects our ambition to explore new directions and technologies that build on our success here in Melbourne.
"We look forward to an unforgettable final year at MCEC and to sharing this exciting new chapter of the Lume as we continue to push the boundaries of how technology can bring art and culture to life."
This is despite the fact that the immersive art experience has continued to experience success and high visitor attendance since launching in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. At this stage, it is unclear whether a different concept will replace the Lume when the lease officially ends in January 2026.
Until then, there’s still plenty of time to bask in the wonder of the Lume’s four-storey high projections, dazzling installations and world-class offerings. So let this be your sign to check it out before it leaves Melbourne forever – you can find out more via the website.
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