The University of Melbourne holds cultural collections that are unrivalled in terms of Australian universities, spanning historical and contemporary collections across the visual arts, cartography, medical history, zoology, archives and more, including significant collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage. These expansive collections are an integral part of the University’s Cultural Commons.

University Cultural Collections

Download the Care of Cultural Collections Impact Report

University Art Collection

Within the University Art Collection are a number of significant collections displayed in curated exhibitions across cultural venues and on campus. The University Art Collection is accessible through teaching and learning programs.

Collection Access

There are three collections in the care of the Museums and Collections department: The Grainger Museum Collection, The Indigenous Art and Culture Collection, and The University Art Collection.

If you wish to access the collections or would like to view, raise a general enquiry, or request an image, please submit a request via the Access Request Form.

Please note that some collection items may not be suitable for digitisation due to factors such as age, fragility, copyright, and other considerations. In some circumstances, a fee may apply to image requests to recover costs associated with digitisation for publication and commercial use. A quote will be provided at the time of request.

Request Access to the Collections

Download the Arts and Culture Impact Report 2025

Collection Loans

The University’s 32 cultural collections are in active service of students, the University community, and researchers from all over the world. Collection loans are managed by individual collections staff across faculties and departments. If you’re interested in borrowing from the cultural collections, you can find links and contact information below.

Borrowing from Museums & Collections

As custodians of the University Art Collection, the Grainger Museum Collection, and the Indigenous Art and Culture Collection, the Museums and Collections department lends materials to institutions nationally and internationally.

Learn More

Campus Loans Program

Selected contemporary artworks from the University Art Collection are available for temporary loan and display across University venues, offices, and buildings as part of the Museums and Collections Campus Loans Program.

Contact the University Cultural Collections

Protocol and Policy

The University Cultural Collections are developed and managed by responsible faculties and departments in accordance with the Minimum Standards for the Management of Cultural Collections and the University Collections Policy (MPF1309).

Collections Protocols

If you’re interested in local protocols from across the University cultural collections, you can find links and contact information below and further information via the collections page.

The Museums and Collections department is responsible for a number of important protocols, spanning collection development, acquisition, deaccession, disposal, and loans related to collections within the department’s custodianship.
Collections in our care:
Our Protocols:
For more information on protocols relating to the collections in the care of the Museums and Collections Department please contact: MC-Collections@unimelb.edu.au
https://library.unimelb.edu.au/asc/contact-us/loans_enquiries
https://law.unimelb.edu.au/law-library/collections/rare-books-collection
mhm-info@unimelb.edu.au
biosciences-herbarium@lists.unimelb.edu.au

Collections magazine

Access past editions of Collections magazine and uncover the fascinating histories of the University’s cultural collections alongside projects ranging from exhibitions to collection care. Explore articles showcasing in-depth research by collections professionals, curators and researchers revealing the significance of the University’s cultural heritage to our shared history.

University Cultural Collections

Architecture, Building and Planning Library Rare Materials Collection

Archives and Special Collections

Burnley Campus Archives

Creswick Campus Historical Collection

Dookie Campus Historical Collection

Ed Muirhead Physics Museum

F.A. Singleton Earth Sciences Collection

Faculty of Engineering and IT Collections

Godfrey Howitt Entomology Collection

Grainger Museum Collection

Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology

Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum

International House Collection

Law Rare Books Collection

Medical History Museum

MONIAC Economics Model Machine

Musical Instruments Collection: Rare and Historic Examples

School of Chemistry Collection

Southbank Library Special Collections

Tiegs Zoology Museum

University of Melbourne Herbarium

Veterinary Science Anatomy Collection

Victorian College of the Arts Film and Television Archives

Visual Cultures Resource Centre

University Art Collection

Within the University Art Collection are a number of significant collections displayed in curated exhibitions across cultural venues and on campus. The University Art Collection is accessible through teaching and learning programs.

Michael Buxton Collection

Rupert Bunny Collection

Classics and Archaeology Collection

Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack Collection

Margaret Lawrence Australian Ceramics Collection

Norman Lindsay Collection

Norman Macgeorge Collection

Hugh Ramsay Collection

VCA Art Collection

Ewing Collection

Gerard Herbst Poster Collection

Russell and Mab Grimwade Collection

Collection Access

Collection Loans

Borrowing from Museums & Collections

Campus Loans Program

Contact the University Cultural Collections

University of Melbourne Archives and Special Collections, Student and Scholarly Services Department

Law Rare Books Collection, Student and Scholarly Services Department

Medical History Museum, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

University of Melbourne Herbarium, Faculty of Science

Museums and Collections Department

Protocol and Policy

Collections Protocols

Museums and Collections Department

Collections in our care:

Our Protocols:

Archives and Special Collections

Law Rare Books Collection

Medical History Museum

The UOM Herbarium

Collections magazine

Issue 25, December 2019

Issue 24, June 2019

Issue 23, December 2018

Issue 22, June 2018

Issue 21, December 2017

Issue 20, June 2017

Issue 19, December 2016

Issue 18, June 2016

Issue 17, December 2015

Issue 16, June 2015

Issue 15, December 2014

Issue 14, June 2014

Issue 13, December 2013

Issue 12, June 2013

Issue 11, December 2012

Issue 10, June 2012

Issue 9, December 2011

Issue 8, June 2011

Issue 7, December 2010

Issue 6, June 2010

Issue 5, November 2009