A Labor government promises $18million to Jewish Arts Quarter

In a significant pre-election announcement, the Albanese Government has pledged $18 million towards the creation of the Jewish Arts Quarter (JAQ) in Elsternwick, a visionary precinct that will fuse heritage, creativity, learning, and community into one of Australia’s most ambitious cultural infrastructure projects to date.

This commitment marks a powerful moment not only for Jewish Australians, but for the broader national identity, as it elevates a community’s legacy into the heart of the country’s multicultural future.

Elsternwick has long been a home to Melbourne’s Jewish life. With synagogues, bakeries, theatres, and community institutions clustered within walking distance, the suburb already offers a glimpse of rich cultural continuity. But JAQ aims to go much further: to transform this vibrant patch into a world-class cultural destination and a place of deep storytelling, open dialogue, and artistic excellence.

At the centre of this transformation are the Jewish Museum of Australia and the Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre, two leading institutions whose joint vision and advocacy have driven JAQ from concept to near-reality.

“The Jewish Arts Quarter is an incredibly exciting project that will be transformative for Jewish arts, culture and education in Australia,” said Jessica Bram, Director and CEO of the Jewish Museum of Australia. “It’s a space where our stories can be told on our terms—alive, loud, and proud. With this funding commitment, we are one step closer to creating something truly enduring.”

The sentiment was echoed by the leadership of Kadimah, one of Australia’s oldest Yiddish cultural institutions, which has played a pivotal role in preserving Jewish theatre, literature, and language for over a century. “This is more than a precinct—it’s a home for Jewish creativity and connection,” said Aviva Reed, President of Kadimah. “We’re building a future where Jewish voices are amplified, where our arts and culture are not only preserved but evolve, flourish, and welcome all.”

The Albanese Government’s investment comes atop prior support from the Victorian Government and Gandel Foundation, helping to catalyse the final stages of planning and design. Once completed, JAQ will include purpose-built exhibition spaces, a theatre and performing arts venue, co-working and creative incubators, educational facilities, and an inviting public plaza for festivals, events, and community gatherings.

This isn’t just a cultural project, it’s a national statement. Josh Burns MP, Federal Member for Macnamara, has long championed the initiative and sees it as an emblem of Australia’s proud multicultural values. “The Jewish Arts Quarter will be a proud showcase of multiculturalism,” he said. “It will be a place where people from across Victoria—and indeed Australia—will come to enjoy Jewish food, music, arts and culture. It’s a place that will say to the world: we’re here, we’re proud, and we welcome you.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who was present for today’s announcement, added that the commitment reflects the government’s core belief in inclusion and diversity. “Australia is a proudly multicultural nation,” he said, “and a re-elected Albanese Government will commit $18 million towards ensuring the Jewish Arts Quarter will be there to celebrate our diversity and the contributions of Jewish Australians for generations to come.”

The Jewish Arts Quarter will also bring significant economic and social benefits, creating jobs in construction, tourism, education, and cultural programming. But its most lasting contribution may be intangible—the sense of pride, belonging, and renewal it brings to Jewish Australians, particularly in an era marked by rising global antisemitism.