ABOUT THE MUSEUM
"Everything flows, and nothing abides, everything gives way, and nothing stays fixed."
— Heraclitus (535–475 BCE)
The Hellenic Museum is Australia's only museum dedicated to showcasing the transformational power of Greek art, history and culture.
Located in the city of Melbourne, which boasts one of the largest Greek diaspora communities in the world, our mission is to inspire a passion for Hellenic culture from the ancient to the contemporary.
Across the year, the Museum hosts a wide range of seasonal programs and events, including workshops, lectures, music, theatre and more. We are committed to building artistic partnerships with Greek and non-Greek artists, and reimagining Greek culture through a contemporary lens.
By bringing together multiple artistic disciplines and perspectives, the Hellenic Museum presents a holistic experience of Greek culture and the contribution it has made, and continues to make, to society today.
Come and experience 8,000 years of culture at a place where what has been, meets what will be.
THE FORMER ROYAL MINT BUILDING
The Hellenic Museum occupies the Former Royal Mint Building, which was designed by the prolific Melbourne architect J.J. Clark, built in 1869–1872 and operated as an official branch of the Royal Mint in London until its closure in 1968. For more information about the building and its history, visit the page below.
OUR PEOPLE
The Hellenic Museum is a public not-for-profit organisation run by a passionate team of arts and culture professionals and volunteers. This team is overseen by CEO & Head of Curation Sarah Craig, alongside our Board of Directors:
HARRY STAMOULIS (Chair)
DAVID KRASNOSTEIN AM
HELEN MANTZIS
DR NICHOLAS PAPPAS AM
NICK PARTHIMOS
HELEN STAMOULIS
YIANNI ZAPARAS
The Hellenic Museum was founded in 2007 by the late Melbourne businessman and philanthropist Spiros Stamoulis. After emigrating from Greece to Australia as a 12-year-old in the 1950s, Spiros went on to build a series of successful businesses which enabled him to give back to the city which had embraced both him and his family.
A passionate Hellene, his vision was to create a cultural institution which would promote an understanding and enjoyment of Greek Classical and contemporary culture, art and history. To achieve this vision Spiros developed and funded what would become the Hellenic Museum, and dedicated it to the memory of his late daughter Nafsika Stamoulis. Today his generosity is sustained by his family, as Lifetime Trustees of the Museum.
To live in the hearts
of those we leave behind
is to live forever.
Αστέρι μας μικρό θα
είσαι πάντα λαμπερό
στον δικό μας ουρανό