Geelong Arts Centre
A state-owned performing arts, cultural participation, functions and events centre in central Geelong, Victoria.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Geelong Arts Centre is a state-owned performing arts and cultural venue in central Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Formerly known as the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, it occupies a substantial city-centre complex between Little Malop Street and Ryrie Street and presents theatre, music, comedy, circus, dance, community arts, education and other live events. The organisation also provides spaces for functions, rehearsals, creative development and hospitality, making it both a presenting institution and a broader cultural infrastructure provider for the Geelong region. Proposals for a dedicated performing arts centre in Geelong emerged during the 1970s. The eventual site incorporated several historically significant structures and remnants of earlier civic, religious and educational uses. These included the former Mechanics' Institute, whose nineteenth-century building had been replaced after a 1926 fire; the former Presbyterian or “Steeple” Church on Ryrie Street; and the Temperance Hall at the corner of Little Malop Street and Aitchison Place. The Temperance Hall, erected in 1858–59 for the Geelong Total Abstinence Society, was demolished in 1978 to allow construction to begin. Its stonework was numbered and stored, although its later location is not identified in the available reference material. Parts of the Mechanics' Institute and Steeple Church buildings were retained or incorporated into the resulting complex. Construction began in 1978. The centre was designed in a Brutalist style characterised by exposed concrete and opened officially in 1981. Its institutional framework was established through the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980, which created the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust. The trust remains responsible for governance and includes members selected for local-government connections, professional experience in education, business, finance or the performing arts, or leadership and active involvement in cultural activity. The centre receives financial assistance from the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The original venue configuration included a large proscenium theatre, a smaller studio-style theatre and specialist studio spaces. The main theatre was originally named Ford Theatre and later became The Playhouse. The smaller venue was originally Blakiston Theatre and later became the Drama Theatre. Corporate sponsorship supported the original construction program, with areas named for sponsors including Ford, Blakistons, Shell and Alcoa. The centre has subsequently changed both its facilities and its public-facing identity, adopting the shorter Geelong Arts Centre name. Its wider venue network has included Costa Hall, a 1,397-seat concert auditorium at Deakin University's Waterfront Campus. Costa Hall accommodates orchestral performances, musical theatre, comedy, circus and other large-scale events, with an orchestra pit, choir stalls, balconies, foyer bar and box office. The Ryrie Street site has also provided multipurpose and rehearsal studios, while the former church and Mechanics' Institute spaces have supported dance and other creative activity. A major redevelopment of the Little Malop Street building was funded by the Victorian Government at a reported project value of A$140 million. ARM Architecture served as principal architect and Lendlease was appointed to lead project delivery. The completed redevelopment plan provides a 500-seat theatre, a 250-seat theatre and a black-box theatre, together with an outdoor atrium, hospitality and restaurant areas, public amenities, offices and administrative facilities. The project temporarily closed some venues during construction and was scheduled for completion in late 2023 in the supplied reference material. Beyond its performance season, Geelong Arts Centre operates programs intended to strengthen local participation and professional networks. Parrwang Community Arts connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with cultural and creative activity, particularly through youth-focused, all-ages-inclusive workshops. Creative Engine provides a collaborative base for local creatives and supports networking events such as Spark Starter and Community Fuel, alongside grants and support initiatives. The organisation also works with education, government, community and commercial partners. Its role therefore extends beyond presenting shows: it functions as a regional cultural agency, venue operator, creative-development platform and community gathering place.
History
The history of Geelong Arts Centre is closely connected with the development of Geelong's civic and cultural precinct. Ideas for a dedicated performing arts centre were advanced in the 1970s, at a time when the city was seeking a substantial venue for theatre, music and public events. The selected central site was not vacant: it contained buildings and remnants associated with nineteenth-century education, religion and social reform. The Temperance Hall stood at the corner of Little Malop Street and Aitchison Place. Built in 1858–59 for the Geelong Total Abstinence Society, it had a distinctive classical facade of Barrabool freestone, with a central parapet and Tuscan Doric detailing. It was later used as a grammar school before being demolished in 1978 for the arts-centre project. The stones were numbered and placed in storage, although the available material does not establish where they ultimately went. The Mechanics' Institute had originated from an 1842 proposal and occupied the Ryrie Street site from 1856. Its earlier building was destroyed by fire in 1926, after which a replacement hall was constructed and became known as the Plaza Theatre. The facade was retained as part of the later arts-centre complex. The Ryrie Street Presbyterian Church, commonly called the Steeple Church, had opened in 1857 to a design by John Young. Although the congregation moved to Newtown in 1914 and the steeple had been dismantled earlier, the principal body of the church survived and became part of the performing arts centre. Construction of the new centre began in 1978. The Brutalist design used exposed concrete and combined new construction with retained historic fabric. The completed facility officially opened in 1981. Its governance was formalised through the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980, which established the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust as the organisation responsible for management and oversight. The centre became a statutory cultural authority supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The initial complex included Ford Theatre, a 797-seat proscenium theatre with a dress circle and fly tower, and Blakiston Theatre, a 325-seat studio-style venue. The organisation also operated specialist spaces including the Alcoa Studio in the former Steeple Church and Ballet Studio 2 in the former Mechanics' Institute. Corporate sponsorship helped finance the original construction and resulted in venue and building-area names associated with Ford, Blakistons, Shell and Alcoa. The venue portfolio later expanded beyond the original complex. Costa Hall, located at Deakin University's Waterfront Campus on Gheringhap Street, became a major concert and large-event venue with seating for 1,397 in its concert configuration. It includes performance infrastructure for orchestras and musical theatre, as well as facilities for comedy, circus and other live entertainment. Smaller Ryrie Street studios have supported rehearsals, workshops and intimate performances. The organisation has also developed programs that position it as a community and sector-support institution rather than solely a theatre operator. Its annual theatre season presents a curated program of professional productions. Parrwang Community Arts uses the Wadawurrung word for magpie and focuses on connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and creativity through workshops and partnerships. Activities have included programs involving Short Black Opera, the Australian Ballet, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. Creative Engine provides space and opportunities for local artists and organisations, including networking, community initiatives and grants or support information. In the twenty-first century, the centre undertook a substantial redevelopment of the Little Malop Street building. The Victorian Government committed A$140 million to the project. ARM Architecture was principal architect and Lendlease was selected to lead delivery. The redevelopment introduced or planned a 500-seat theatre, a 250-seat theatre and a black-box theatre, along with an atrium, restaurants, public facilities and expanded administration areas. Some venues closed temporarily during the works. The project was scheduled for completion in late 2023 according to the supplied reference material. The later adoption of the Geelong Arts Centre name reflects the organisation's broader remit. Its current identity encompasses performance, cultural participation, creative development, venue operations, hospitality, education and regional arts-sector support. It remains a Victorian public cultural agency serving Geelong and the wider Australian arts ecosystem.
- 2023
Little Malop Street redevelopment scheduled for completion
[1]The major Little Malop Street redevelopment, funded by the Victorian Government at A$140 million, was scheduled for completion in late 2023.
- 2021
Partnerships and workforce documented
[1]The centre listed Creative Victoria as government partner, Deakin University as major artistic partner, Costa Hall Asset Management as innovation partner and Geelong Connected Communities as family-program partner. Reference material also recorded 88 employees, including 33 full-time-equivalent positions.
- 2011
Original theatre names changed
[1]Ford Theatre became The Playhouse and Blakiston Theatre became the Drama Theatre.
- 1981
Centre officially opens
[1]The completed Geelong Performing Arts Centre officially opened as a major performing arts venue for the city.
- 1980
Trust established by legislation
[1]The Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980 established the statutory trust responsible for governance of the centre.
- 1978
Arts-centre construction begins
[1]Construction began after the Temperance Hall was demolished to clear the site. The project combined new Brutalist architecture with retained historic structures.
- 1926
Mechanics' Institute destroyed by fire
[1]The Mechanics' Institute building was destroyed by fire and replaced by a hall later known as the Plaza Theatre; its facade was subsequently retained in the arts centre.
- 1858
Temperance Hall foundation stone laid
[1]The foundation stone of the Geelong Total Abstinence Society's Temperance Hall was laid on 15 November.
- 1857
Steeple Church opens
[1]The Ryrie Street Presbyterian Church opened in an Early English Gothic style; the surviving church body was later incorporated into the arts-centre complex.
- 1856
Mechanics' Institute building opens on the site
[1]A new Mechanics' Institute building opened on Ryrie Street on 3 March, establishing an important early civic use of the future centre's site.
Products and positioning
A publicly supported regional arts centre combining professional performance presentation, community participation, creative development, venue hire and cultural infrastructure for Geelong and surrounding Victoria.
Theatre venue
The Playhouse
The Playhouse is the successor to the former Ford Theatre and was the principal large theatre in the original centre. It was configured as a 797-seat proscenium-arch venue with a dress circle and fly tower, supporting drama, touring productions, musical theatre and other staged performances.
Studio theatre
Drama Theatre
The Drama Theatre, formerly known as Blakiston Theatre, was a 325-seat studio-style performance venue. Its scale and flexible format made it suitable for smaller theatre productions, experimental work, talks and community presentations.
Concert and events venue
Costa Hall
Costa Hall is a 1,397-seat concert auditorium at Deakin University's Waterfront Campus on Gheringhap Street. It includes an orchestra pit, choir stalls, side balconies, a central balcony, foyer bar and box office. The venue has hosted orchestral music, comedy, circus arts, musical theatre and other live entertainment.
Community arts program
Parrwang Community Arts
Parrwang Community Arts is a youth-oriented, all-ages-inclusive program connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with culture and creativity. Workshops and partnerships have included Short Black Opera, the Australian Ballet, Reconciliation Week activities, the centre's Reconciliation Action Plan and NAIDOC Week.
Creative-sector support program
Creative Engine
Creative Engine is a collaborative space and support platform for local creatives. It provides networking opportunities such as Spark Starter and Community Fuel, and offers information connected with grants and support initiatives for the local arts sector.
Curated performance program
Theatre season
The annual theatre season is the centre's curated presentation program. It forms part of the organisation's professional performance offer and sits alongside touring work, concerts, comedy, community activity and venue-hire events.
Brand decisions
2011
Rename the original theatresStrategyBackground
The centre revised the names of two principal venues as part of its continuing operational and branding changes.
Action taken
Ford Theatre was renamed The Playhouse and Blakiston Theatre was renamed the Drama Theatre.
Aftermath
The venues continued as the main large and mid-scale theatre spaces in the original complex.
1978
Proceed with a central Geelong performing arts complexStrategyBackground
After proposals during the 1970s, the project selected a central site containing historic civic and religious structures.
Action taken
Construction commenced, combining a new exposed-concrete complex with retained elements of the Mechanics' Institute and Steeple Church.
Aftermath
The centre opened in 1981 and became a principal performing arts venue for Geelong.
- Adopt the Geelong Arts Centre nameStrategy
Background
The organisation broadened its activities beyond conventional theatre presentation to include community arts, creative development, events, hospitality and sector support.
Action taken
The public-facing identity changed from Geelong Performing Arts Centre to Geelong Arts Centre.
Aftermath
The shorter name represents the organisation's wider cultural and community remit.
- Undertake the Little Malop Street redevelopmentOther
Background
The existing building required expanded and updated performance, public, hospitality and administrative facilities.
Action taken
The Victorian Government funded a reported A$140 million redevelopment, with ARM Architecture as principal architect and Lendlease leading delivery.
Aftermath
The planned result included 500-seat and 250-seat theatres, a black-box theatre, an outdoor atrium, restaurants and expanded public and administrative facilities. Some venues temporarily closed during construction.
Reported redevelopment funding. A$140 million project (Redevelopment scheduled for completion in late 2023)
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