In the 2022 financial year,the Arts Centre’s trading revenues reached almost 50 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. The number of performance events in financial year 2022 was 35 per cent below the levels experienced in 2019,according to its annual report.

Arts Centre CEO Karen Quinlan was contacted for comment about the alleged funding shortfall but did not respond before deadline.

A statement released by the Arts Centre on Tuesday said:“The Victorian Government has provided Arts Centre Melbourne and our public cultural institutions with unwavering support throughout the pandemic. We are grateful that this financial support has allowed us to provide Victorians with the opportunity to engage with the performing arts over the last 3 years”.

Having taken over the reins in October last year,Quinlan made a name for herselfas director of the Bendigo Art Gallery,overseeing blockbusters such as the Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe exhibitions. More recently,she headed up the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Her predecessor Claire Spencer was CEO for seven years;the latter leftto become inaugural CEO of London’s Barbican Centre.

Part of Quinlan’s remit is to oversee the Arts Centre’s redevelopment,including a significantrenovation of the State Theatre – which will close for several years in early 2024. About 1.4 million to 1.5 million people visited the Arts Centre annually pre-COVID. It is home to four resident companies:the Australian Ballet,Melbourne Symphony Orchestra,Melbourne Theatre Company and Opera Australia.

The renovations are part ofa $1.7 billion project to rebuild the surrounding arts precinct,featuring a new promenade past Hamer Hall,the Arts Centre and NGV towards a new contemporary art gallery.

Inan interview with this masthead in August 2022,Quinlan said her central consideration was “that balancing act between creative ambition versus fiscal responsibility”. She described the centre’s redevelopment as a big opportunity,despite the challenges it might pose in the short-term. “It’s always been a gathering place,” she said. “We want everybody to be part of this next phase.”

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