Australian Institute of Arts and Literature

The Australian Institute of Arts and Literature was a club for culture lovers that flourished in the 1920s in Melbourne, Australia.

"Institute of Arts and Literature" redirects here. For the American institution, see American Academy of Arts and Letters.

History

The institute grew out of a suggestion by Edward A. Vidler, journalist and author of The Rose of Ravenna, for the creation of a club to foster fellowship within the arts community, suggesting exactly that title,[1] reminiscent of the National Institute of Arts and Letters (founded 1912) in America. It was followed by a public meeting at Furlong's rooms on 17 February 1921[2] and formation of the club with about 60 members.

They acquired clubrooms in Palace Chambers, attached to the Palace Theatre at the top of Bourke Street, Melbourne, and met there weekly;[3] a programme was arranged for each meeting, perhaps a lecture on art or a musical performance. An amateur dramatic company was formed from its membership, led by Beresford Fowler and played Adrian Consett Stephen's Futurity and Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkman; due to space constraints the latter was staged at the The Playhouse.

The club gained significantly in status and membership numbers when Sir Robert Garran became president. Thanks to his and Lady Garran's involvement, visiting artists of repute were entertained there,[4] and the meetings became crowded affairs, not only with members and their partners but associate members and guests. The Melbourne Literary Club and its magazine, Birth (edited by Furnley Maurice) merged with the Institute.[5]

In 1927 Garran was transferred to Canberra and the Institute felt his loss keenly, and never recovered.[6] The Institute continued until at least 1930.[7]

References
  1. Knowles, Marion Miller (26 August 1920). "The Ladies' Letter". The Advocate (Melbourne). Vol. LII, no. 2501. Victoria, Australia. p. 30. Retrieved 27 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "Social". Table Talk. No. 1854. Victoria, Australia. 10 February 1921. p. 30. Retrieved 27 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "The Institute of Arts and Literature". Table Talk. No. 1889. Victoria, Australia. 13 October 1921. p. 12. Retrieved 27 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Gossip from Melbourne". The Sunday Times (Sydney). No. 1888. New South Wales, Australia. 2 April 1922. p. 23. Retrieved 27 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Woman's Melbourne Letter". The Western Mail (Perth). Vol. XXXVII, no. 1, 906. Western Australia. 6 July 1922. p. 27. Retrieved 27 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Items of Interest". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 25, 234. Victoria, Australia. 27 June 1927. p. 16. Retrieved 26 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Institute of the Arts and Literature". The Age. No. 23, 569. Victoria, Australia. 23 October 1930. p. 11. Retrieved 3 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
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