University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) Departments
Southbank Department
Southbank Department represents students studying at the University of Melbourne's Southbank Campus, including Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) and the Melbourne School of Design (Southbank) students.
They host free weekly events, engaging conversations, and run campaigns to shed light on issues affecting students at our campus.
Get in touch if you are in need of support, representation, or just want to get involved.
UMSU Southbank Department office is located on Level 2, Southbank Library, The Hub.
Express Yourself
MUSE Festival
MUSE Festival at UniMelb Southbank (VCA & MCM) is a celebration of the Fine Arts and a complete takeover of the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building (879). Held during the winter break over three days, MUSE is Southbank’s first-ever student-led Performing Arts Festival.
MUSE exists to support up-and-coming artists and serve as a launchpad for new work and new voices. Each year, the festival continues to grow, showcasing emerging artists as they take bold first steps, experimenting, taking risks, and pushing boundaries in an environment that values learning, curiosity, and failure as an essential part of the creative process.
Theatre
Union House Theatre produces a dynamic program of shows, workshops, and professional pathways. Everyone is welcome to participate in their programs across theatre, dance performance and backstage — no experience needed. There are 25+ student theatre groups putting on 40+ shows every year — plus they host regular events and workshops!
Creative Arts Department
The Creative Arts Department opens the door to a lively, inspiring world where expression knows no boundaries. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just beginning to explore your artistic side, this is your chance to discover your voice and let it resonate. Whether you’re captivated by music, drawn to visual art, eager to explore performance, or fascinated by crafts and painting, we provide the resources and space for you to dive in. This is your chance to uncover new passions, hone your talents, and make creativity a central part of your student experience.
George Paton Gallery
The George Paton Gallery (GPG) is an art gallery at the University of Melbourne and is part of the University of Melbourne Student Union.
Established in 1974, the Gallery was a vital platform for alternative art practice and publishing throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
Today, it continues this history by supporting an expanding field of creative practices by University of Melbourne students and encouraging experimental, collaborative and education-focused approaches to art and curatorial practice through exhibitions, publications, screenings, performances and public programs.
Media Department
The Media Office produces Farrago, the University of Melbourne’s official student magazine, and our very own radio station Radio Fodder.
Farrago is the student publication of the University of Melbourne. Farrago prints six editions per year as well as its annual creative writing and art anthology Above Water, and the UMSU Election Guide.
The Media Office publish all sorts of student work: news, poetry, prose, essays, opinion pieces, art, photography. While submissions for the editions occur throughout the year, they are always open for submissions and pitches for the online website.
Queer Department
The Queer Department is responsible for the queer student community on campus. Whether you're gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, asexual, or aromantic, or even if you're questioning, they're here for you!
UMSU Clubs and societies
Music Student Society (MSS)
The Music Student Society (MSS) is the official student club of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, providing social activities for members and educational support for students - welcome to all like-minded music people!
VCA Music Theatre Society
The VCA Music Theatre Society aims to make musical theatre more accessible for all of UniMelb. Working towards supporting students in the Music Theatre Faculty through workshops, events, masterclass with industry professionals and other fundraising activities for the graduating year group. Join us as we attempt to upskill, have fun and raise funds for those who are making the leap from the safety of the faculty into the big wide world!
Theatre Groups
Student theatre groups are groups of students who produce and perform their own shows. They welcome all types of performance and have over 20 affiliated student theatre groups. You can find one you’d like to join in the list below or you can start your own group.
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is for graduate students, by graduate students. As the peak body advocating for University of Melbourne graduate students, GSA supports you throughout your postgrad journey. From events and social activities to advocacy, representation and practical support, they help graduate students connect, get involved and make the most of university life.
Graduate Student Groups
Music Therapy Graduate Student Group
The Music Therapy Graduate Student group aims to bring awareness and to advocate for Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne. Whilst doing this they will allow students to network on campus within the Music Therapy course and with students from other cohorts and courses.
Melbourne Art Curatorship Society
The Melbourne Art Curatorship Society was founded by and for Master of Art Curatorship students. It is open to all graduate students and any interested undergraduate students who share a love for art, history, museums, galleries, and culture. They aim to not only enhance the academic and professional life of students in the Master of Art Curatorship program, but also to foster a love of art, museums, galleries, and cultural endeavours among all graduate students, and to present a program of events to enrich their social, academic, and cultural horizons.