Melbourne boasts one of the liveliest art scenes in the southern hemisphere.

The National Gallery of Victoria’s Ian Potter Centre showcases Indigenous, colonial and contemporary Australian art, while the Heide Museum of Modern Art celebrates modernist leaders. Highlights of the Melbourne Museum include the Children's Museum and the Bunjilaka Centre — where Aboriginal people practise and present their culture.

The Arts Centre is a major performing arts venue and home to the Melbourne Theatre Company. CUB Malthouse is dedicated to Australian performance, including resident theatre ensemble Playbox and Chunky Move’s bold contemporary dance. Musicals, operas and Broadway hits — the Princess, Regent, Athenaeum and Her Majesty's theatres present major productions from international pens.

Theatreworks, Danceworks, Circus Oz, Polyglot Puppet Theatre and The Australian Ballet are other performance companies.

Annual arts and culture events include the Melbourne International Film Festival, The Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Arts Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.