Convent Community

A community rich in diversity and opportunity
Who’s at the Convent? Stroll through the grounds or this website and you’ll discover the studios of individual artists, craftspeople, writers, healers, health practitioners and more. Then there are the small to not-quite-as-small arts and sustainable lifestyle related organisations and practitioners. Plus, there’s the bakery, restaurant, bar, community radio station, glass-blowing studio and lots of inspirational spaces waiting for just the right people…. potters, sculptors, chocolate makers, quilters, book binders…. who knows? Contact us!
To find out about how to become a tenant at the Abbotsford Convent, click here
Find out more about our individual tenants:
For all your Food and Beverage requirements we have:
Below are some comments from our tenants about what it is like to work at the Abbotsford Convent.
As a freelance writer and editor, the Abbotsford Convent has provided me with an ideal working environment which allows me to work on a broad range of projects for a variety of clients. The Convent offers an ideal environment for Melbourne's arts sector because, although its endeavours are often solitary, there is also comfort in being located close by with people facing many of the same issues. As a community, the tenants at the Convent provide each other with valuable advice and feedback and together are able to discuss and solve many subjects and concerns faced by artists and creative workers.
Fran Madigan - writer
3MBS is the only classical music radio station based in Melbourne. It is now based at the Abbotsford Convent and looking forward to bringing the best visiting, local and young musicians to the Convent and inspiring them with the unique setting. If the potential of the precinct can be cherished and realised, the Convent will be a significant part of Australia's cultural landscape.
David Melzer
Manager, 3MBS
Walking along by the Yarra River, passing wattle trees, ducks, bellbirds, green parrots and magpies to my studio at the Convent, gives me inspiration and motivation to continue to paint my abstract expressionist works.
Babette Angell
Artist represented by Tempera Galleries
My artistic practice has flourished in my time at the Abbotsford Convent over the last five months. The artistic community here is unique in its diversity, encouraging exchanges between various disciplines, forms, media and audiences. Importantly, the Convent actively engages the wider public, enabling dialogue and communication with large and varied groups. One of the most exciting aspects of being involved with the community here is seeing its constant evolution, transformation and development. New events are constantly emerging, and every new tenant has something different to contribute. We had our first "Arts at the Convent" market last Sunday, providing an opportunity to showcase our work to the public at the same time as sharing our practice with each other. The peaceful, beautiful atmosphere of the Convent is ideal for fostering creative arts practice, while simultaneously it provides a dynamic and thriving hub for contemporary artistic practice that communicates to a wide audience. The Abbotsford Convent arts precinct should be supported in every possible way in its continued growth.
Grace McQuilten
I think I was the very first tenant to move in, and I've seen it grow from just a few of us knocking about the halls, to a really vibrant and diverse community with upwards of a hundred artists, and a steady stream of visitors to the place. I loved it then and I really love it now. As a typically poor filmmaker, I feel lucky to have landed in such a space - it's affordable, beautiful, and inspiring.
Vive Le Convent!
Greg Williams,
Writer, Director
We are privileged to be a unique Art Therapy practice located within the inspirational and vibrant Abbotsford Convent Arts Precinct. We offer individual and group Art Therapy sessions, as well as an "open studio" where people from all walks of life are able to enjoy a supportive, life enhancing creative space. The Melbourne Art Therapy Studio also offers a bridge between those in the helping profession and artists / art therapists. We are committed to community and healing through the art making process. Our clients and peers often remark that it is an absolute pleasure to be involved in such a wonderful & dynamic community at the Convent. For more please see www.melbournearttherapy.com.au
Melbourne Art Therapy Studio
Even before the Victorian Music Teachers' Association moved into the beautiful Convent Precinct, we realised the potential for the Convent to become a major Arts centre for Melbourne's north, rivalling Southbank. We are excited that Melbourne's own Classical Music radio station 3MBS has also moved in and look forward to closer links with them. Future possibilities for music events in this setting are unlimited.
Victorian Music Teachers' Association