MESS is entering a new and exciting phase in the beating heart of the city. With support from Fed Square and a select group of passionate patrons, MESS is moving to the Atrium – right opposite the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. This is a game-changing relocation that will allow us to better fulfil our mission of empowering all people to build an enriched life through music. Your donation will ensure that more people can access this bigger MESS.
Help us make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
At the heart of MESS is our collection of over 1,000 historically significant electronic instruments. But MESS is so much more than our machines. Your donation will support:
Access
Increased visibility and accessibility will enable us to maximise the incredible resource that we have built. Our world-class, museum grade collection of instruments will be available to a much broader audience and our programs will impact and inspire across all demographics. But this access is resource intensive and we need your support to deliver on our dream of making sure anyone and everyone can experience the life-altering wellbeing effects of creativity through our unique collection.
Education
MESS supports all people at all stages of their creative journeys to explore and develop their voice in the ever-expanding world of electronic sound and music. Through our mix of structured programs, outreach initiatives and community-based learning, MESS remains a vital platform for knowledge sharing, artistic development and inclusive access to music-making.
Unconstrained from by the barriers of traditional music education, electronic sound and music has a unique capacity to unlock creative potential, empower people and enrich lives. Your donation will ensure that we can expand our education offerings to more artists and communities.
Artist Development
MESS is an internationally recognised hotbed of innovation and experimentation in electronic music. We’ve commissioned 25 major new works by Australian artists, uplifted over 100 local, national and international artists through studio residencies, and hosted over 1,000 workshops, many of which target marginalised demographics. We need your help to continue delivering world-class resources directly to artists.
Culture and Heritage
Australia, and Melbourne, has a unique and significant place in the history of electronic music. Our collection includes a 1939 Hammond Novachord (one of only 3 in the world known to be functional), an incredibly rare ProCase 6 from early Melbourne synth-makers Transaudio (1972–76) and a pre-production line Theremin (most likely handcrafted by Theremin himself). These museum-grade instruments must continue to be used in order to stay functional for future generations of artists.
With your help, we can continue to preserve, expand and share our collection.
Community building
Above all, MESS is a community. In a field where isolation increasingly shapes the creative process, we invite people to connect with each other to build shared experiences that enrich not only Australia’s electronic music community but society more broadly.
MESS is incredibly proud of the community of artists and enthusiasts that we’ve build over the years, and your donation helps us ensure it remains for many years to come.
Make an even bigger MESS – with your support, we can continue building a creative community around electronic sound.
”Since opening in 2016 MESS has grown into a world renowned centre for the exploration of electronic music. So much more than an (amazing) collection of instruments, MESS pursues a mission of elevating people by encouraging creative engagement for all and creating positive community connections. Music has a unique power to affect and connect us as human beings. MESS harnesses this power for good. I am proud to be a founding patron of this amazing initiative and look forward to a bright future for MESS at Federation Square.
Wally de Backer a.k.a GotyeFounding Patron
”MESS has opened up a world of tangible professional and artistic opportunities, as well as introducing me to a community of like-minded artistically driven people. It has provided me with the underlying self-belief that my existence as an artist has purpose in the contribution to something greater, I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way about an organisation before. It’s been transformative and transcendent and I will be forever grateful to have been a part of it.
Katerina StathisCommissioned Artist
”I am completely aware that without the incredible opportunities that MESS has provided, I would not have had the means to pursue this path. I, along with many others, am completely indebted to the programs at MESS and certainly would struggle to imagine our city's cultural landscape without the uncompromising dedication of this organisation to our community.
Rachael KimMESS Resident 2023
