East Melbourne in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Victorian Artists' Society

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, May 11, 2026

1. Victorian Artists' Society Marker

Inscription. In 1874 the Victorian Academy of Arts built a bluestone Art Gallery on this site. The Victorian Artists' Society, formed in 1888 by the amalgamation of the Academy with the Australian Artists' Society, held a competition to design a new building, which was won by Richard Speight. His Romanesque revival design was completed in 1893.

Erected by City of Melbourne and State Bank Victoria.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 37° 48.568′ S, 144° 58.575′ E. Marker is in East Melbourne, Victoria, in Melbourne. It is on Albert Street 0.1 kilometers Morrison Place, on the left when traveling west. Marker is just to the left of the door. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was

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once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dame Nellie Melba (here, next to this marker); New Temple Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel O'Connell (within shouting distance of this marker); Aubrey Bowen Wing, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Mannix (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Eastern Hill Fire Station (about 150 meters away); Saint Patrick's College (about 210 meters away); Great Petition (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Melbourne.

Also see . . . The Victorian Artists' Society.

1890

The Victorian Artists Society had its beginnings in 1870 when a small group of artists and lay persons met in magistrate James Robertson’s house at Blessington Street, St. Kilda, to form the Victorian Academy of the Arts, the direct ancestor of VAS.

Among the founders were Louis Buvelot, JA Panton, Thomas Clark and Hubert de Castella. This heavyweight group was instrumental in not only securing the Crown Land Grant on which
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, May 11, 2026

2. Victorian Artists' Society
our building now stands, but in the early establishment of the Society as a legal entity.

1874

The original bluestone studio building was opened in 1874 following the grant of land on Albert Street—a single-storey construction without windows that earned the nickname of ‘the morgue’. Although almost totally subsumed by the present building, the building still serves both as a studio and a reminder of our history. It was built by Corben and Stuart and designed by architect Leonard Terry, who had worked principally as a designer of warehouses and banks—an influence seen in the solid and conservative style of the original gallery which also reflects the society’s humble beginnings. At the time of its construction the media mocked it severely.

(Submitted on May 12, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 12, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.