Refreshed Dance Studios Open at Southbank

The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music has reached an exciting milestone with the completion of construction work to uplift and upgrade the St Kilda Road Performing Arts Building at Southbank. The upgraded Roy Grounds architecturally design dance studio complex delivers a world-class dance and music theatre environment designed to enhance teaching, learning, and student wellbeing.

“The upgrade of the building marks an important landmark  in VCA Dance’s 47-year history,” says Professor Carol Brown  “Investment in quality floors and facilities ensures that Australia’s next generation of dancers and music theatre artists will benefit from prioritising dancer health and wellbeing, while also providing the best possible environment for teaching and learning.”

Building 864 now features Harlequin sprung floors, upgraded AV and lighting, and refreshed interiors, including a student lounge, body conditioning studio, and accessible changing and shower facilities. These improvements will allow students to rehearse, perform, and learn in a safe, flexible and inspiring space. Accessibility upgrades, including lift access and street-level entry from St Kilda Road, make the studio fully inclusive for all staff, students, and visitors alike.

This project not only strengthens the day-to-day teaching and learning experience for our Dance and Music Theatre students, but also preserves the building’s architectural heritage, ensuring it remains a vibrant space for students, staff, and Melbourne’s cultural community for generations to come.

To celebrate this milestone, VCA Dance commissioned ‘Out of the Cupboard’ a  video celebrating the history and legacy of VCA Dance funded by the VCA Foundation Engagement Grant and directed by Alumni Dr Phoebe Robinson: