In 1998 The Australian Ballet made a major donation to the Performing Arts Collection. The gift included 350 costume and set designs, which recount the story of The Australian Ballet through a roll-call of visionary designers who have worked with the company and its predecessors over the years.

The Australian Ballet Collection pays tribute to visiting international companies who helped establish an audience for dance in this country. Melbourne–based companies such as the Borovansky Ballet, National Theatre Ballet and Ballet Guild are also represented through the works of leading Australian artists including William Constable, Leonard French and Kenneth Rowell.  

The Collection charts the creative evolution of those who worked with The Australian Ballet since its formation in 1962, such as Rowell, whose designs include Giselle (1965), Sun Music (1968) and The Sleeping Beauty (1973). It also reflects the company’s status on the world stage through the work of  international designers like Tim Goodchild, Peter Farmer, and Hungarian duo Gabor Forray and Tivadar Mark.
 
Collaborations nurtured by The Australian Ballet are also represented in the design collection. Working with leading Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy, New Zealand-born designer Kristian Fredrikson produced unique interpretations of the Nutcracker (1992), Swan Lake (2002) and Tivoli (2001). In collaboration with Stephen Page’s Bangarra Dance Theatre the company produced the highly successful Rites (1997) which incorporated design by Jennifer Irwin.

Designers such as Irwin, Angus Strathie, Michael Pearce and Anna French have brought a contemporary edge to more recent works such as Wild Swans (2003), El Tango (2004) and Raymonda (2006). Works such as these have helped strengthen The Australian Ballet’s broad appeal amongst today’s audience.  

An ongoing deposit arrangement between The Australian Ballet and the Arts Centre means both organisations are committed to the future growth of The Australian Ballet Collection. As the company heads towards its 50th anniversary in 2012, the work of designers will continue to be chronicled, preserved and celebrated.