Incinerator Gallery is open 11am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday during exhibitions. The gallery is closed on public holidays and during exhibition change over periods.
Incinerator Gallery is part of Moonee Valley City Council. Learn more about Moonee Valley's commitment to presenting arts and culture through the municipality in the strategy Igniting Creativity in Moonee Valley 23-27.
Incinerator Gallery is a proud member of the PGAV (Public Galleries Association of Victoria) and AMaGA (Australian Museums and Galleries Association).
Incinerator Gallery
Discover a unique artistic experience at Incinerator Gallery, located by the picturesque Maribyrnong River in Moonee Valley. Housed within the historic Essendon Incinerator designed by the office of Walter Burley Griffin, our community gallery showcases an array of inspiring solo and group exhibitions.
Our commitment to fostering a strong sense of community is reflected in our diverse suite of community engagement programs. We offer something for everyone, from Incy Wincy Babies to Gallery Sketchers and Art Club. These programs provide a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded locals and share in the joy of creativity.
With free admission, the Incinerator Gallery is a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike. The Incinerator team look forward to welcoming you soon.
Open hours
Incinerator Gallery is open during exhibitions from 11am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday, and closed on public holidays and during exhibition change over periods.
Summer closure: Friday, 22 December to Monday, 1 January (inclusive) – reopening Tuesday, 2 January 2024.
Closed for exhibition change over dates in 2024:
- 22 January to 1 February
- 8 April to 18 April
- 24 June to 4 July
- 9 September to 19 September
- 25 November to 5 December
Contact
Address: 180 Holmes Road, Aberfeldie, 3040
Phone: 03 9243 1750
Email: incinerator@mvcc.vic.gov.au
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive regular updates about exhibitions, artist opportunities, public programs and events.
Getting here
Incinerator Gallery is located a short walk from the Maribyrnong River.
Free parking is available beside the gallery and there are plenty of options for travelling to the Gallery via public transport.
Train: Closest station is Moonee Ponds on the Craigieburn Line. Then catch the 467 bus or take a 15 minute walk west on Holmes Road toward the river.
Tram: Closest tram stop is Stop 41 near Maribyrnong Park on the 57 and 82 tram routes. Then a 10 minute walk north along the Maribyrnong River to Holmes Road.
Bus: Closest bus stop is at the corner of Holmes Rd and Waverley St, Moonee Ponds. Disembark bus routes 467 or 468 then walk west for five minutes to the Gallery.
Accessibility
Incinerator Gallery is an accessible venue.
Our friendly staff are happy to assist all visitors with their access requirements.
Contact the gallery via phone on 03 9243 1750 or email incinerator@mvcc.vic.gov.au for further advice.
Food and drink
Incinerator Gallery does not have onsite food or drink available.
Speak with a gallery staff member for local café recommendations.
A brief history
The City of Essendon commissioned world-renowned architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony, and engineering company REICO in 1929 to build a state of the art and world-leading incinerator. They wanted a building to house the furnaces that would burn the city’s waste but not look like an industrial facility.
The Griffin’s proposal achieved this by following the principles of Prairie School architecture that were developed earlier in their careers in Chicago with local architects including Frank Lloyd Wright. Their aim was to create a building that fitted harmoniously into its environment with Walter Burley Griffin stating that “the final test of modernism is the replacement of industrial eyesores”.
The City of Essendon’s new building was lauded for its beauty and effectiveness and used until it was decommissioned in 1942. It was left to deteriorate until 1984, when the City of Essendon reopened the facility as a community theatre before closing again after a few years due to funding issues. Its arts legacy was not long forgotten though, with the site undergoing a conservation program, reopening as a multi-arts facility in 2004 as the Incinerator Arts Complex.
The venue was renamed the Incinerator Gallery in 2011 and refocused on a new plan to establish it as a premier visual arts destination in Melbourne’s West.
Want to learn more? Incinerator Gallery offers regular free history tours for the public led by Incinerator volunteers. Click here to find out more or contact us at incinerator@mvcc.vic.gov.au to request a custom tour for your community group.
Art Collection
The Moonee Valley City Council Art Collection reflects, celebrates and contributes to the authentic and distinctive culture of Moonee Valley.
The Collection includes artworks created by professional artists and community members who live in the area or have been inspired by the local environment. It includes objects that encompass media including painting, sculpture, ceramic, glass, textile, as well as public art, billboards, murals and mosaics. Artworks are displayed throughout Moonee Valley and Council venues.
Explore Moonee Valley City Council's art collection on eHive.
Incinerator Gallery and staying COVIDSafe
Every Victorian workplace must ensure a COVIDSafe space and to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.
You can view the additional health and safety measures in the Gallery’s COVID-19 Safe Plan.
Incinerator Gallery asks people not to visit if they are feeling unwell or displaying the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills or sweats
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose
- Loss or change in sense of smell or taste
Gallery staff reserve the right to refuse entry or request a person/s leaves if in breach of the conditions of entr
Volunteer With Us
Applications to volunteer are NOW CLOSED.
Applications closed on 9am, Monday, 5 June 2023. The new round of volunteer applications will open in February 2024.
Applicants will be invited to attend a group interview (90 minutes) on Friday, 9 June and if successful, the Induction and Training session (3 hours) at 10am on Friday, 16 June.
View the Volunteer Role Description for full details including requirements.
We appreciate and value the dedication and commitment of our volunteers.
By becoming a part of the Incinerator Gallery team, volunteers will enjoy such benefits as presentation and engagement training, involvement in exhibitions and openings and networking opportunities.
Applicants should be enthusiastic, possess excellent interpersonal and presentation skills and have a passion for art, architecture, the environment and local history.
You can also read this volunteer profile from Georgie, one of our amazing volunteers. Georgie explains why she loves volunteering at the Incinerator Gallery.
For any further questions about the Incinerator Gallery Volunteer Involvement program email incinerator@mvcc.vic.gov.au.
To learn about volunteering at Moonee Valley City Council more generally or to discover other opportunities to volunteer in Moonee Valley, go to Moonee Valley Volunteering.↗