Arts Centre Melbourne Opens Applications for Inaugural 'Arts Card'

Local artists will get the VIP treatment at Arts Centre Melbourne from today with the launch of its Arts Card. The Arts Card will give practicing artists and artsworkers access to specially priced tickets and hospitality as well as access to a series of exclusive artist-only events including talks, masterclasses and industry forums.

"Arts Centre Melbourne is dedicated to nurturing and supporting our local talent," said Artistic Development Program Manager Simon Abrahams. "The Arts Card is one of the many new initiatives in our 2013 Artistic Development Program and we hope to encourage our local arts community into our buildings like never before. With discounted tickets and hospitality, and exclusive cardholder events among the many benefits, we hope to see Arts Card holders continuing robust discussions in our foyers and bars long after the curtain has fallen."

Arts Centre Melbourne's key food and beverage outlets, including Curve Bar, Riverside Café, Cento Espresso and Café Vic, will offer Arts Card holders discounts and special offers. There are further discounts to be found at The Famous Spiegeltent's bars, including the Tram Bar.

In addition, Arts Card holders will also have exclusive, up-close-and-personal access to some of the world-renowned artists touring through Arts Centre Melbourne. These include industry talks and masterclasses with the cast of The National Theatre of Great Britain's One Man Two Guvnors, Bangarra's Stephen Page and South Australia's Windmill Theatre.

Cardholders will also have access to specially priced tickets to selected Arts Centre Melbourne presented events, including the hilarious School Dance in April and the highly anticipated Einstein on the Beach in July.

To be eligible for the Arts Card, individuals must currently be working as an artist or artsworker with direct involvement in the making or presenting of professional artistic work. Applications can be filled out online and submitted for approval. Arts Cards are valid on a calendar year basis and renewals will be due each January.

For more information on Arts Centre Melbourne's Artistic Development Program or how to apply for an Arts Card, visit artscentremelbourne.com.au/discover/artists.

To post a comment, you must register and login.