The Playground Project Melbourne
28 June 2025 - 12 October 2025
Curator: Gabriela Burkhalter
Artist(s):
Location: Incinerator Gallery
The Playground Project Melbourne is an interactive, international travelling exhibition with a playground takeover. It explores a unique chapter of late 19th century to early 21st century art, design, urbanism and activism; and strives to inspire local audiences, children, students, city planners, artists and designers to imagine a bright and brilliant future for play and playground design.
Unlike any other exhibition, young visitors are invited to climb, crawl, fall and imagine their way through a whimsical and colourful exhibition display and interact with the magical playgrounds that sit at the heart of this project and takeover the Incinerator Gallery's indoor and outdoor spaces. An ambitious program of educational and public events over 22 weeks will foster community engagement, art and design exploration, and inspire children to live, learn and play creatively in our parks, cities and suburbs.
A brief history
The last 150 years have witnessed four phases in the art and development of playground design. The first, dating from 1880, saw social reformers take children off the streets and onto playgrounds. The second, going strong during the 1930s, nurtured the belief – especially in Scandinavia – that children play best in a natural setting. From 1968 onwards, local community groups and creative collectives began to build their own playgrounds fuelled by a sense of self-empowerment and the proliferation of self-help books. The fourth phase, launched by the economic challenges and reforms of the 1980s, heralded the decline of utopian thought in art and design, and the state’s role as commissioner and caretaker of playgrounds in urban spaces. This onset of a crisis in urban planning and playground design continues even today to challenge communities across many cultures, languages, social systems, economic and political realities worldwide.
The exhibition brings together carefully selected photographs, videos, archival materials and texts of key case-studies from Continental Europe, United Kingdom, America, Asia, Africa and Australia. They are featured alongside three playground displays, where kids are invited to kinetically engage with the ideas and enjoy real-time play and interaction.
Curated by Gabriela Burkhalter
Exhibition design by BoardGrove Architects
Produced by Incinerator Gallery
Gabriela Burkhalter is a Swiss urban planner and political scientist specialising in play, architecture, and public space through curatorial research and advisory work. Since 2008, she has documented the history of playgrounds through her virtual archive, Architektur für Kinder: The Playground Project. She is also the curator and editor of The Playground Project, a travelling exhibition an exhibition catalogue (Park Books, Zurich, 2023, 3rd ed.). In June 2025, The Playground Project makes its Asia-Pacific debut at Incinerator Gallery in Melbourne, Australia.
Kunsthalle Zürich (founded in 1985) is Switzerland’s leading experimental art space, spearheaded by Daniel Baumann from 2015 to 2025. Located in the Swiss capital’s Löwenbräukunst cultural complex, each year it showcases six to ten site-specific contemporary art exhibitions that foster critical dialogue between visual art practitioners, the public and the institution. As an independent art space without a permanent collection, it is operated by the Verein Kunsthalle Zürich (Kunsthalle Zürich Association). It is supported by members, patrons, sponsors, and generously funded by Stadt Zürich Kultur (City of Zürich Culture) and Kanton Zürich Fachstelle Kultur (Canton of Zürich Culture Department).
BoardGrove Architects is a Melbourne-based, award-winning creative architecture and design studio established in 2016 by Holly Board and Peter Grove. Leading projects include NGV Triennial Outdoor Pavilions, MPavilion Stool Dolly (now part of Powerhouse Museum’s Permanent Collection) and their recent appointment as members of the winning multidisciplinary design team of the new NGV Contemporary.
Australian content
BoardGrove Architects is a Melbourne-based, award-winning creative architecture and design studio established in 2016 by Holly Board and Peter Grove. Leading projects include NGV Triennial Outdoor Pavilions, MPavilion Stool Dolly (now part of Powerhouse Museum’s Permanent Collection) and their recent appointment as members of the winning multidisciplinary design team of the new NGV Contemporary.
Public Programs
Incinerator x MADA Talk Series presents three free public events on 23 May, 4 July and 10 October with local and international artists, designers city planners and other experts, to investigate the role of suburban revitalisation, creative placemaking and community development.
The Playground Project Melbourne, curated by Gabriela Burkhalter, celebrates the history, imagination and possibility of playground design. On view at Incinerator Gallery from 28 June to 10 October 2025.
Grounds for Risky Play is produced with Monash Art, Design Architecture (MADA), Education Partner of The Playground Project Melbourne.
Presented in association with 2025 Melbourne Design Week.
Incinerator x MADA Talk Series presents three free public events on 23 May, 4 July and 10 October with local and international artists, designers city planners and other experts, to investigate the role of suburban revitalisation, creative placemaking and community development.
In this second event of the series, join contributing artists, designers and academics to celebrate the launch of the Playground project Melbourne exhibition and present their practice.
The Playground Project Melbourne, curated by Gabriela Burkhalter, celebrates the history, imagination and possibility of playground design. On view at Incinerator Gallery from 28 June to 12 October 2025.
Project Partner:
Major Partner:
Education Partner:
More Information - ticketing
- Where can I book tickets?
Tickets are available via Council’s Incinerator Gallery website (playgroundproject.com.au). Humanitix are the official ticketing partner for this event. Do not purchase tickets via ticketing resellers as these cannot be verified by the venue.
- What time do I need to arrive? What happens if I’m running late to my session?
Please arrive five to 10 minutes before your allocated time slot. If you arrive late, box office staff will do their best to accommodate your booking. Please note changing your session time on the day is subject to availability.
- Do I need to pre-book a place, or do you accept walk-ins?
We recommend booking ahead, to ensure you don't miss out on your preferred time slot. If there is availability on the day, tickets are available to purchase on-site for the next available time slot.
- I have an allocated slot, can I come to my session another time?
Being a heritage building, there are weight limits determined by our engineers that specify a maximum number of people in the space at any given time. For this reason, we will only be able to move your session if there is capacity. Call the gallery on 9243 1750 for further information.
- Why is there a ratio of one adult per three children
The Playground Project requires a supervised level of play to ensure the safety and comfort for staff and all patrons, as well as to preserve the artwork. Therefore, a maximum of three children can attend per adult. If there are more than three children in your group, please ensure there are two adults in attendance.
- Do children under 12 months need a ticket?
All children require a ticket, including babies under 12 months. This is to ensure the safety of all patrons within the space due to weight limitations in the venue. Up to three children are free with one adult ticket.
- Can I change my session time after I’ve booked?
Subject to availability, change of date and/or time are permitted up to 72 hours before the booking. You can change the date and/or time of your booking by contacting the gallery on 9243 1750 or sending an email to playgroundproject@mvcc.vic.gov.auChanges within 72 hours of booking time are not permitted and in the event of no-show a refund will not be provided. If you have booked using a discount code there may be an additional cost payable for the rescheduled session.
- If one or more people in my group can’t attend, what can I do?
If a member of a group is not able to participate in a booked session, unfortunately we are not able to issue refunds. If more than 72 hours’ notice is provided we can rebook your whole groups session to another time/date subject to availability. Please keep in mind if an adult in your group is unable to attend your session the ratio of one adult per three children is required. If you have booked using a discount code there may be an additional cost payable for the rescheduled session.
- Can I add more tickets to my booking?
Subject to availability, you can book additional tickets via the booking link (playgroundproject.com.au)
- I booked too many tickets, can I get a refund?
We may issue refunds for bookings made in advance and if we are notified of the error straight away, subject to approval from management. If we are notified 72 hours or less prior to the booking time, unfortunately a refund cannot be issued. Please note booking fees of 5% are not refundable. If you have booked using a discount code, your refund will reflect the price you paid for your tickets.
- Can I see the terms and conditions of my ticket:
Please see our terms and conditions
- I’ve not received my tickets – what do I do?
Please check your Junk Mail and Blocked emails section of your emails. If you still are unable to find them, please call the gallery on 9243 1750 or send an email to playgroundproject@mvcc.vic.gov.au
- How much do tickets cost?
Children aged 12 and under are FREE with one adult ticket (maximum three children per adult)
Adults - $25
Concession - $15
Moonee Valley Residents - $10
Youth (13-17) - $15
Moonee Valley Residents Youth (13-17) - $10
More Information - attendance
- Why is this a paid event?
Ticketing fees for this event will go directly to cover operational costs for the exhibition including artist and workshop expenses, daily cleaning and sanitisation of the artworks and the hiring of extra invigilation. This is a community event which is not intended to generate profit for Council.
- What age group is this event suitable for?
This event is suitable for all ages. Climbing and entering the Lozziwurm, the Brutalist Playground and the Ringtails Playground are reserved for children under 12 years of age. All other areas of the exhibition are accessible and safe for all ages under parental supervision.
- How much time do I have in the exhibition?
Each session will be for one hour, where participants can access all exhibition spaces. We anticipate this will be plenty of time to explore the exhibit. There will also be an outdoor playground as part of this exhibit, with no time limits attached.
- Do kids need supervision?
All children ages 12 and under must be supervised by an adult. Behaviour expectations for visitors are clearly signed around the venue. If you have any questions, we invite you to speak with one of our staff members on site. All children have the right to feel safe at Moonee Valley City Council venues. For more information Child Safety at Moonee Valley City Council
- How do I get there?
The Incinerator Gallery is located at 180 Holmes Road, Aberfeldie. Parking is available at the venue, we also encourage you to utilise nearby public transport via the 82 or 57 tram, exiting at the Maribyrnong Park/Maribyrnong Road stop with a 10-minute walk to the venue. You can also take bus 468 alighting at
Holmes Road/Waverley Street with a three-minute walk to the venue entrance.
- Is there parking available?
Limited 2-hour parking is available at the venue, as well as long stay parking opposite the gallery at the Essendon Rowing Club. Street parking is also available along The Blvd.
- What are the Gallery opening hours?
Incinerator Gallery will be open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4pm during The Playground Project exhibition.
- Can I bring my pram/wheelchair/mobility device inside?
The Incinerator Gallery is an accessible venue and all prams, wheelchairs and other mobility devices can be used throughout all spaces in the gallery. If you have additional accessibility questions or needs, please contact our box office staff on 9243 1750 or send an email to playgroundproject@mvcc.vic.gov.au for assistance prior to your visit.
- Can I bring my guide dog?
The Incinerator Gallery is an inclusive venue and welcomes all visitors with support animals to attend. If you have additional accessibility questions or needs, please contact our box office staff on 9243 1750 or send an email to playgroundproject@mvcc.vic.gov.au for assistance prior to your visit.