Geelong Arts Centre facts for kids
Little Malop Street entry to the Geelong Performing Centre
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| Former names | Geelong Performing Arts Centre |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong VIC 3220 |
| Coordinates | 38°08′51″S 144°21′16″E / 38.1474°S 144.3544°E |
| Operator | Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust |
| Type | Performing arts centre |
| Genre(s) | Theatre, musical theatre, comedy, classical music, ballet and dance |
| Capacity | 797 (The Playhouse) 325 (Drama Theatre) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1978 |
| Opened | 1981 |
| Renovated | 2017-2023 |
The Geelong Arts Centre is a special place in Geelong, Australia. It's where you can enjoy live shows like plays, musicals, comedy, and dance. It also hosts events and has spaces for creative people.
This centre used to be called the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC). It's located right in the middle of Geelong, between Little Malop and Ryrie Streets.
Contents
History of the Arts Centre
People started talking about building a performing arts centre in Geelong in the 1970s. The spot chosen for it already had some old buildings. Let's learn about them!
What Was There Before?
The Geelong Arts Centre was built on land that had three important buildings. These buildings had their own stories before the arts centre was created.
The Temperance Hall
A building called the Temperance Hall stood on the corner of Little Malop Street. It was built in 1858-1859. This hall was for a group called the Temperance Society. They encouraged people to avoid alcohol.
The building was very grand, with a special stone front. Later, it was used as a school. In 1978, the hall was taken down to make way for the arts centre. Its stones were carefully saved for possible future use.
The Mechanics' Institute
A Mechanics' Institute was a place where people could learn and read. Geelong's first one opened in 1846. A new building for it opened on Ryrie Street in 1856.
This building later got a second floor. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in 1926. A new hall, called the Plaza Theatre, was built in its place. The front part of this building was kept when the arts centre was built.
The Steeple Church
The Ryrie Street Presbyterian Church opened in 1857. People called it the 'Steeple Church' because it had a tall steeple. It was built with blue stone in a Gothic style.
In 1914, the church group moved to a new location. The steeple was removed in 1913. Today, the main part of the old church is still there. It is now part of the performing arts centre.
Building the Arts Centre
Work on the arts centre began in 1978. The Temperance Hall was taken down first. The new centre was designed in a strong, modern style using exposed concrete.
The Geelong Performing Arts Centre officially opened its doors in 1981. It was set up by a special law, the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980. This law made it a government-run cultural place.
New Look and Updates
The Geelong Arts Centre has been updated many times. These changes included new theatres and public areas. The centre also changed its name from GPAC to Geelong Arts Centre.
Some parts of the centre were temporarily closed for a big update. This project cost about A$140 million. It was planned to be finished in late 2023.
After the updates, the centre will have new theatres. These include a 500-seat theatre, a 250-seat theatre, and a black box theatre. There will also be more public spaces. These include an outdoor area and more restaurants.
Who Helps Fund the Arts Centre?
To help pay for building the centre, companies in Geelong gave money. In return, parts of the centre were named after them. For example, the main theatre was named after Ford.
The second theatre was named after Blakistons, a transport company. The main entrance area was named after Shell. The outdoor courtyard was named after Alcoa.
Many groups still help the centre today. In 2021, sponsors included:
- Government partner: Creative Victoria
- Major artistic partner: Deakin University
- Innovation partner: Costa Hall Asset Management
- Family magic program partner: Geelong Connected Communities
What's Inside the Arts Centre?
The Geelong Arts Centre is a cultural agency owned by the state government. It gets money from the Victorian Government. The centre has many different spaces for performances and events.
The original arts centre had several venues:
- The Playhouse: This is the main theatre. It has 797 seats and a large stage. It was called the Ford Theatre until 2011.
- Drama Theatre: This theatre has 325 seats. It's a flexible space, great for different kinds of shows. It was called the Blakiston Theatre until 2011.
- Alcoa Studio: This is a large dance studio. It has a special floor for dancing and mirrors. It's located in the old Steeple Church building.
- Ballet Studio 2: This is another dance studio. It has a special floor, ballet bars, and mirrors. It's in the upstairs part of the old Mechanics' Institute.
The centre is managed by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust. This group includes people from local councils. It also has experts in education, business, finance, and the performing arts.
Other Venues
The Geelong Arts Centre also uses other venues for performances:
Costa Hall
Costa Hall is a large concert hall. It is part of Deakin University's Waterfront Campus. It can hold 1397 people for concerts. It has a stage area for orchestras and balconies. Costa Hall also has a bar and ticket office. It hosts many live shows, from orchestras to comedy.
Ryrie Street Studios
The Ryrie Street building has several studios:
- Studio 1: A flexible studio space for about 30 people.
- Studio 2: Another flexible studio space for about 30 people.
- Studio 3: A smaller space for rehearsals, also for about 30 people.
- Studio 4: A larger studio for rehearsals and performances. It can hold up to 120 people.
Programs and Activities
The Geelong Arts Centre offers many exciting programs for the community.
Theatre Season
Every year, the Geelong Arts Centre plans a special theatre season. This includes a variety of plays and performances for everyone to enjoy.
Parrwang Community Arts
This program helps connect young people with culture and creativity. It's especially for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The name "Parrwang" means "magpie" in the Wadawurrung language.
Workshops have included opera, dance, and activities for National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
Creative Engine
Creative Engine is a special space for local artists. It's on Level 2 of the Ryrie Street building. It helps creative people work together. They have events like Spark Starter and Community Fuel. These events help promote local arts programs. There are also grants and support available for artists.
Working at the Arts Centre
The Geelong Arts Centre has many different jobs. These include people who work in administration, marketing, and human resources. There are also teams who manage the shows and hospitality.
In June 2021, the Geelong Arts Centre had 88 employees. This included full-time, part-time, and casual staff.
