About Us | Street Art Melbourne

Our Story

Street Art Melbourne began in 2008 as a passion project by photographer Jasmine Rodriguez, who spent weekends documenting the rapidly changing murals in Melbourne's famous laneways. What started as a personal blog grew into Melbourne's most comprehensive archive of urban art.

By 2010, we had formed a small collective of photographers, art historians, and street artists dedicated to documenting this ephemeral art form. We launched our first walking tour in 2012, offering visitors and locals alike an insider's perspective on Melbourne's vibrant street art scene.

In 2015, we established formal partnerships with the City of Melbourne and several property owners to create legal painting spaces and commission works from emerging artists. These relationships have helped bridge the gap between street art's underground roots and its growing recognition as a legitimate cultural practice.

Today, Street Art Melbourne has evolved into a multifaceted organization with a permanent team of staff and a network of contributors. We maintain Australia's largest digital archive of street art, organize events and exhibitions, run educational programs for schools, and advocate for policies that support urban creativity while respecting community standards.

Street Art Melbourne founder documenting early laneway art

Our Mission & Values

Community street art workshop with diverse participants

Mission

Street Art Melbourne exists to document, preserve, and celebrate Melbourne's urban art landscape while creating opportunities for artists and fostering community engagement with this dynamic art form.

Core Values

Accessibility
We believe art should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. Street art democratizes artistic expression by bringing it out of galleries and into public spaces.
Authenticity
We respect street art's countercultural roots while embracing its evolution. We value artistic integrity and independence above commercial interests.
Community
We foster meaningful connections between artists, neighborhoods, property owners, and authorities to create sustainable urban art ecosystems.
Documentation
We believe in preserving Melbourne's street art heritage through systematic documentation, recognizing that physical works may be temporary but their cultural impact is enduring.
Education
We are committed to deepening public understanding of street art's techniques, history, and significance through accessible educational initiatives.

Meet Our Team

Our diverse team brings together expertise in art history, photography, urban planning, and street art practice. United by our passion for Melbourne's urban art landscape, we work to document, preserve, and promote this vital cultural movement.

Jasmine Rodriguez

Founder & Creative Director

With a background in photojournalism and urban sociology, Jasmine founded Street Art Melbourne in 2008. Her photography has been featured in National Geographic, The Guardian, and major street art publications worldwide. She leads our documentation and archiving initiatives.

Marcus Chen

Head of Education Programs

A former high school art teacher and practicing stencil artist, Marcus joined us in 2014 to develop our educational offerings. He coordinates our school programs, artist workshops, and community engagement initiatives, making street art accessible to diverse audiences.

Olivia Bennett

Curator & Art Historian

With a PhD in Contemporary Urban Art from the University of Melbourne, Olivia brings academic rigor to our work. She manages our exhibitions, writes for our publications, and develops the contextual framework for understanding Melbourne's place in global street art movements.

Kai Williams

Community Engagement Manager

A renowned muralist and community organizer, Kai connects artists with property owners, secures permissions for projects, and manages our relationships with local councils. His diplomatic approach has been instrumental in creating new opportunities for legal street art across Melbourne.

Our Achievements

Since our founding in 2008, Street Art Melbourne has grown from a small blog to an influential organization that has significantly impacted Melbourne's urban art landscape.

Digital Archive

Created Australia's largest digital archive of street art with over 15,000 documented works spanning 15 years, preserving the history of Melbourne's ephemeral urban art landscape.

Public Engagement

Conducted over 2,000 street art tours for more than 50,000 visitors, introducing Melbourne's urban art scene to audiences from around the world.

Educational Impact

Developed curriculum-aligned educational programs that have reached over 10,000 students across Victoria, fostering appreciation for street art as a legitimate cultural practice.

Artist Support

Secured over $500,000 in commissions for local street artists through our advocacy and partnership programs, creating sustainable career opportunities in urban art.

Publications

Published three critically acclaimed books on Melbourne's street art scene, including "Melbourne: Global Street Art Capital" which has been translated into five languages.

Policy Impact

Contributed to the development of Melbourne's Street Art Management Framework, establishing a balanced approach that supports artistic expression while addressing community concerns.

What People Say About Us

"Street Art Melbourne has been an invaluable partner in developing our city's approach to urban art. Their deep knowledge of the scene and connections with artists have helped transform Melbourne into a global street art destination while reducing unauthorized graffiti."

Sarah Thompson

City of Melbourne Arts Officer

"As a street artist, I've seen firsthand how Street Art Melbourne has changed public perception of our work. Their advocacy has created legitimate opportunities for artists like me to practice our craft and make a living from it. Their documentation efforts also ensure our temporary works live on."

David Nguyen

Street Artist & Educator

"Working with Street Art Melbourne to commission murals for our properties has been a revelation. Not only have they connected us with incredible artists, but the resulting artworks have become neighborhood landmarks, increasing foot traffic and dramatically reducing vandalism. It's been a win-win partnership."