Melbourne Art Trams

Melbourne’s trams and vibrant arts scene come together each year in a travelling exhibition of local artists.

Previously called Transporting Arts, Melbourne’s Art Trams first came to life as hand-painted trams from 1978 to 1993. After a two-decades-long hiatus, the project was reinvigorated in 2013 as Melbourne Art Trams. Since then, we’ve partnered with the Department of Transport and Planning, Creative Victoria and RISING (previously Melbourne Festival) to continue the Art Trams legacy.

This year, six of our trams are wrapped in works by established and emerging First Peoples artists. Curated by artist Jarra Karalinar Steel (Boonwurrung/Wemba Wemba), the collected works each respond to the theme ’Blak Futurism’.

Amina Briggs (Boonwurrung/Erub – Ugar)

This artwork represents a powerful statement about reclaiming BIIK (Country). It features Bunjil ('the Creator' – wedge tailed eagle) and Waa ('the Protector' – Australian raven) in Boonwurrung culture.  You can catch Amina's tram on routes 5, 6, 16, 72.

Rubii Red (Lama Lama)

Rubii Red’s vibrant work pays homage to Naarm. In Rubii’s words, "A place that's raised me and allowed me to grow as an artist and as a person." You can catch Rubii's tram on routes 70 and 75.

Peter Waples-Crowe

Peter Waples–Crowe’s work focuses on communicating the importance of revitalising Country after colonial damage. In Peter’s words, "This tram celebrates the Alpine Dingo, a king of the ecosystem, capable of changing landscape degradation." You can catch Peter's tram on routes 3, 64, 67.

Lyn and Coree Thorpe.

Mother and Son duo Lyn and Coree’s work, in response to the theme 'Blak Futurism', speaks to their Aboriginal continuum. In their words, "Our past, present, future, forever Dreaming. Creation travelling, connecting-up grassroots mob. Paying homage to our Ancestors and Country we belong, care taking,protecting knowledge from our lands." You can catch their tram on routes 58 and 59.

Charlotte Allingham (Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa)

Charlotte Allingham’s intricate design represents "Blak Present, Blak Future and Blak Eternity–a vision of Blak Freedom. A future that values mob-led sustainability, innovation and being unapologetically ourselves. Queer, neurodivergent and Blak." You can catch Charlotte's tram on routes 48 and 109

Jay Van Nus (Pibelmun Noongar)

Jay Van Nus' work "'Ngank Yira' meaning sun rising in SW Noongar explores a brand new day in a Blak future over two sides of a tram. The first side encompasses shared dreams of young, old and Ancestor mob while the second side sees this Blak vision realized." You can catch Jay's tram on routes 5, 6, 16 and 72.

Art Tram timeline

1978—1993: 36 of Melbourne’s iconic W-Class trams were hand-painted by some of Australia’s most renowned artists including Lin Onus, Mirka Mora, Michael Leunig and Reg Mombassa.

2013—2020: Twenty years later, the Melbourne Art Trams project was reimagined through the use of modern vinyl vehicle wrapping, and featured some of Victoria’s most talented established and emerging artists. 

2021 onwards: Melbourne Art Trams has focussed on celebrating Victoria's First Peoples heritage, with trams designed by First Peoples artists.