Our five MPAC venues all sit on the unceded lands of the Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne’s south east, and play host to the continuing tradition of song, dance and music that has been practiced on these lands for more than 60 000 years.

Banner photo from our 2018 production of Spinifex Gum, presented by Gondwana Choirs, Felix Riebl, Marliya & Lyn Williams, Briggs, Christine Anu and Peter Garrett.

“I believe that stories bring us closer together. Greater understanding leads to greater harmony, and more compassionate communities.” – Tom Molyneux

We are committed to substantially increasing the First Nations presence in our regular programming, and as part of that commitment, are proud to announce the appointment of the new Head of First Nations Programming and Engagement, proud Gunditjmara man Tom Molyneux.

Tom is an award-winning actor, playwright and arts manager, receiving the 2023 Green Room Award for ‘Best Performer (Independent Theatre)’ for his performance in The Mission which toured to arts venues across Australia in 2022. Tom is also a proud alumnus of Monash, having graduated with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Performing Arts.

In addition to our regular programming, Tom will be contributing to the development of a brand new First Nations Arts and Culture Festival planned for 2026. While there is much to be confirmed, we encourage you to subscribe to receive news about our extraordinary live experiences.

We are currently developing a major event for 2026 to showcase incredible First Nations culture and wisdom from Australia and around the world.

Guided by a panel of First Nations artists, researchers, thinkers, and cultural practitioners, along with Monash University’s William Cooper Institute:

• It will be a celebration of First Nations art, culture, ceremony and wisdom.
• It will be a coming together of global communities; an exchange of knowledge, stories, truths, and research.
• It will be a weaving together of our collective experiences in the face of existential challenges.
• It will be healing. It will be transformative.

At the cutting edge of academia, where accepted norms are challenged, gatekeepers are questioned, performativity is encouraged, culture is foregrounded, and the voices of our Ancestors are singing to us. All knowledges are welcome here.

For more information, please contact tom.molyneux@monash.edu

MPAC is pleased to offer MobTix pricing across the performances that we program in our venues.

Available to people who identify as being of First Nations descent, and are accepted as such by their community, this is to support increased engagement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with our program.

We recognise the historical exclusion from many performing arts spaces, and are supportive of the cultural policy approaches by both Creative Australia and Creative Victoria.

Click here for more information.