Immersive art experience The Lume will close in 2026

Popular immersive arts experience The Lume will not accept bookings for any events from the middle of next year and will end its operation at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Center in 2026, it said in a letter sent to staff.

Lume is known for its inventive use of projections. Its first exhibition was dedicated to the artist Vincent van Gogh and allowed visitors to feel as if they were walking through the works themselves. It brings back that Boxing Day experience this year.

It also hosted exhibitions of works by French impressionist Claude Monet and Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci.

He created an immersive experience using 143 high-definition projectors to display artwork across 3,000 square meters of white carpet and 11-metre walls at the South Wharf Conference and Exhibition Centre.

Owner Bruce Peterson informed staff of the decision not to renew the lease of the digital art gallery at the Melbourne Exhibition Center (MCEC) in an email sent on Friday afternoon.

In an email, Peterson said it was a difficult but pragmatic decision for the company, adding that it has achieved strong customer ratings since opening in November 2021.

“However, all good things must come to an end, and often the challenge is knowing when it’s time to call it time,” reads the email, seen below that headline.

Peterson said he wanted The Lume to “come out on top” but noted that the company faced significant obstacles.

This included challenging economic conditions in Melbourne, the cost of reinvesting in technology and ongoing “problems with the suitability of MCEC as a… venue”.