Melbourne Art Trams
The Melbourne Art Trams Program is a partnership between DTP, PTV, Yarra Trams, Creative Victoria and the RISING Festival. Melbourne’s trams and its vibrant arts scene come together in a travelling exhibition that forms part of the launch of the world-class RISING international arts festival each year.
2025 First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams
The Melbourne Art Trams Program is a partnership between DTP, PTV, Yarra Trams, Creative Victoria and the RISING Festival. Melbourne’s trams and its vibrant arts scene come together in a travelling exhibition that forms part of the launch of the world-class RISING international arts festival each year.
In 2025, Melbourne Art Trams will return with six unique designs from First Peoples artists, launching on Friday 6 June. This is the fifth year in a row that Melbourne Art Trams will feature designs exclusively created by Victorian Traditional Owners and First Peoples artists. The six trams will run on Melbourne’s tram network for the next 12 months.
For more information, visit RISING(opens in a new window).
Curatorial Collective
This year, the six artists and their work were nominated by five First Peoples curators. Chosen for their multidisciplinary approaches and their significant contribution to Victorian First Peoples cultural revival, this travelling exhibition is a unique opportunity to recognise these respected artists.
Convened by Senior Curator RISING Kimberley Moulton (Yorta Yorta), the curatorium includes highly experienced and community connected curators.
- Belinda Briggs (Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Wurundjeri and Ngiyampaa) Curator Indigenous Shepparton Art Museum(opens in a new window)
- Gail Harradine (Wotjobaluk, Djubagalk, Jadawadjali ) Curatorial Manager Koorie Heritage Trust(opens in a new window)
- Caine Muir (Yorta Yorta, Wati Wati and Ngarrindjeri), Curator First Peoples Collections Museums Victoria(opens in a new window)
- Stacie Piper (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum-Wurrung) Curator & Collections Victorian Indigenous Research Centre, State Library Victoria(opens in a new window)
The artists
Six artists, from various eras and who work across different mediums were selected by five First Peoples curators. Together, the pieces present overlapping layers of culture and country in the lived experience of First Nations women. The six artists are:
- Beruk (Wiliam Barak) (WurundjeriWoi-wurrung)
- Maree Clarke (Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti, Boonwurrung)
- Kelly Koumalatsos (Wergaia, Wemba Wemba)
- Jennifer Mullett (Gunaikurnai, Bidawal, Ngarigo)
- Patsy Smith (Taungurung)
- Laurel Robinson (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri), Amy Briggs (Yorta Yorta), Cynthia Hardie (Yorta Yorta) and Rochelle Patten (Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Baraparapa)
For more information, visit RISING(opens in a new window).
Melbourne Art Trams history
1978—1993: 36 of Melbourne’s iconic W Class trams were hand-painted by some of Australia’s most renowned artists including Lin Onus, Mirka Mora, Michael Leunig and Reg Mombassa.
Lin Onus Tram 1991
Michael Leunig’ s tram 1986
2013—2019: Thirty years later, Melbourne Art Trams project was reimagined during the Melbourne International Arts Festival (predecessor of RISING), featuring some of Victoria’s most talented established and emerging artists.
2021 onwards: Melbourne Art Trams has focussed on celebrating Victoria's First Peoples heritage, with trams designed by First Peoples’ artists.
Artists of the 2024 Melbourne Art Trams: Destiny Deacon (Ku Ku/Erub Mer), Milla Morgan (Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta), Kait James (Wadawurrung), Iluka Sax-Williams (Taungurung), Thomas Day (Gunditjmara/Yorta Yorta/Wemba Wemba), Ellen José (Torres Strait Islander).
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