art

The Photography of the BMI | Victorian Seniors Festival | Now fully Booked

The BMI is home to thousands of photographs of Ballarat through the ages.  Through the lens of several different photographers and collectors including Max Harris.  Join us for a curator-led tour of the BMI’s photographic exhibition as part of the Ballarat Foto Biennale, as well as a special viewing of some treasures from our collection […]

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Life Drawing in the Basement

Unleash you artistic potential on Sunday 21 May & Sunday 28 May, two sessions each day starting at 2pm & 7pm each day, duration two hours each session. Attention, all ye aspiring artists and lovers of the fine arts! A most exceptional life drawing session awaits thee in the depths of a heritage basement, reminiscent

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Digitisation Workshop | AMaGa | Geraldine Brault

Digitisation workshop Capturing high-quality images of your catalogue records serve as a digital preservation copy of our collections while also allowing for increased public access and decreased physical handling. This workshop will provide you with an opportunity to work one-on-one to learn the basics of museum photography such as camera settings and operations, lighting, and image

Digitisation Workshop | AMaGa | Geraldine Brault Read More »

Digitisation Workshop | AMaGa | Geraldine Brault

Digitisation workshop Capturing high-quality images of your catalogue records serve as a digital preservation copy of our collections while also allowing for increased public access and decreased physical handling. This workshop will provide you with an opportunity to work one-on-one to learn the basics of museum photography such as camera settings and operations, lighting, and image

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Cataloguing workshop | AMaGa | Geraldine Brault

Victorian Collections Introductory Cataloguing Workshop This workshop provides an introduction to the principles of collections management and catalogue documentation. Participants will learn how to best physically manage their collection items as well as digitally document them using Victorian Collections: a free, web-based and easy-to-use collections management system. Topics covered in this workshop include: Introduction to

Cataloguing workshop | AMaGa | Geraldine Brault Read More »

Life Drawing in the Basement

Unleash you artistic potential on Sunday 21 May & Sunday 28 May, two sessions each day starting at 2pm & 7pm each day, duration two hours each session. Attention, all ye aspiring artists and lovers of the fine arts! A most exceptional life drawing session awaits thee in the depths of a heritage basement, reminiscent

Life Drawing in the Basement Read More »

Trivia Night Fundraiser

26 August Doors open 6.45pm | Tickets also available at the door

$25 per person | $20 BMI members

Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults

Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm. 

BMI Fundraising Events book donation promotional image

Calling for Pre-loved books

These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities

We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.

 Coming in November

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

Spring Season, History Talks:

Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Vintage Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop

 Pre-Sale $60 from 6 Aug to 9 Aug - $65 thereafter

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar

Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40

Tax Deductible 

Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.

We need
your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

Or alternatively go to our Donations web page.

Our Challenge

Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.