Shannon McGrath_BKK_SOMI (78) — Photo credit: Shannon McGrath

Open House Melbourne: Tours and Collection Screenings

When

Sat 25 Jul – Sun 26 Jul 2026

Get behind-the-scenes access to the Blackmagic Design Media Preservation Lab and learn more about the Collection at ACMI.

As part of Open House Melbourne, we're inviting you on a tour of our Media Preservation Lab and a rare opportunity to hear from ACMI’s expert conservators. Learn about our Collection and preservation activities, and get up close to a range of preservation stations inside the space and see how they safeguard our precious screen stories.

Screenings
From our collection, enjoy free screenings of two short works. Learn about one of Melbourne’s iconic arts precinct buildings in The Melbourne Concert Hall (1982) and discover the unique challenges of building design for Australian conditions in Design for climate (1967).

About the Lab
The Blackmagic Design Media Preservation Lab is a purpose-built, glass fronted laboratory where the ACMI Registration and Collections team undertake preservation activities for analogue, time-based media, digital and complex software-based games and artefacts.

Major Partner

Presented with

When

Sat 25 Jul – Sun 26 Jul 2026

Schedule

Tour (35 mins)
Daily at 10.15am, 11.15am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm

Screenings (40 mins)
Daily at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm

Tickets

FREE. No bookings required.
Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where

Meet at Level 1 Foyer
(display cabinets opposite ticket desk)
ACMI, Fed Square

Plan your visit

Accessibility

Tours involve standing, limited seating within the Preservation Lab. Please speak with ACMI staff about access requirements on arrival.

Visual Stories

Please note

No food or drink can be bought on the tours into the lab. Drink bottles need to have a secure lid. Children under 5 years old must be accompanied by an adult.