The People’s Bowl SLV Display

• May 2011–May 2012
• The Changing Face of Victoria
• Dome Galleries (Level 5)
  
• State Library Victoria
• Swanston Street
• Melbourne, Victoria
• Australia
  
  
• Curator: Christine Eid

One of Melbourne's much loved architectural icons, known as 'The People's Bowl', features in a new display in The Changing Face of Victoria exhibition.

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl, in Kings Domain, was presented to Melburnians in February 1959 by the Sidney Myer Charity Trust with the support of the Melbourne City Council.

Named in honour of the entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of the Myer retail store, Sidney Myer, it was Melbourne's first purpose-built open-air performance venue.

Designed by architects Yuncken, Freeman Brothers, Griffiths and Simpson, its structure was a shining example of pioneering modernist design.

The unique canopy was designed with acoustics in mind, and with the ability to minimise surrounding sound from the city.

The venue caters for diverse uses, from musical concerts to theatre and opera performances and the annual Christmas event, Carols by Candlelight. In Winter the stage is transformed into an ice-skating rink.

Some of the items on display are part of the Coles Myer Archive gifted to the Library to mark the centenary of Federation.