Showtime!

The Royal Melbourne Show is a Melbourne institution.

Founded in 1848, the Show began its life as an agricultural exhibition, where Victoria's farmers put their stock and their skills on display for curious city folk. Over the last century and a half the Show has expanded, and today visitors experience not just a fascinating showcase of country living, but horticulture, cars, pets, competitions, entertainment, rides, food, wine and the arts.

In 2009, Arts Victoria went to the show for the first time, joining the Victorian Government's 'Fast Forward' Expo. Various government departments and agencies worked together to create an engaging, interactive experience for visitors, in an environmentally friendly exhibition space, designed to give show-goers a glimpse of Victoria's exciting community.

With the aim of showcasing the breadth and diversity of the arts sector, visitors to the Arts Victoria stand were treated to roving performances by Melbourne's Dislocate Acrobatic Aerial Theatre and encouraged to Test Drive the Arts.

Guests were also able to find out about the wealth of performances and exhibitions on offer from the various arts organisations across Victoria, including the multitude of free and low cost events that happen year-round in our state.

A crowd gathers at the Arts Victoria stand at the Royal Melbourne Show

Visitors were treated to footage from some of the premiere companies that receive funding through the Organisations program, including Circus Oz, the Australian Ballet and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Independent artists and community projects that have received Arts Victoria support were also on display, such as animator Dave Jones' film In My Day and local artist Princess One Point Five.

When Expo visitors were ready to rest their feet, they could take a seat in the 'Pause' lounge and listen to great new music by artists funded through the Victoria Rocks program, including Monique Brumby, Oliver Mann, Deline Briscoe and Radical Son, amongst many others.

With so much creativity and culture in Melbourne, Arts Victoria had plenty to show off!

The Pause stage at the Victorian Government Pavillion