New Geelong Arts Centre opens its doors

THE shiny new face of the Geelong Arts Centre (GAC) has been officially revealed.

The $38.5 million redevelopment includes four purpose-built rehearsal and performance studios, the Creative Engine co-working floor, a new Ryrie Street entrance and a new bar.

The translucent façade of the five-storey building comprises more than 2,400 square metres of glass and has been carefully built around the outside of the restored church previously hidden from view behind the former Band of Hope building.

Of the new studios, Studio 4 is the centre’s largest studio performance space, and has six-metre-high ceilings and the same footprint as the downstairs Playhouse theatre stage.

Studios 1 and 2 are Tarkett sprung dance studios with floor-length mirrors and double ballet bars, while Studio 3 is a multi-purpose studio space with sprung Masonite flooring and blackout drapes.

All four studios can be adapted to suit corporate or community events, including classes, conferences, banquets and wedding ceremonies.

The Creative Engine co-working floor comprises 23 desk spaces and four meeting rooms as well as a communal lounge and kitchen facilities.

The building was designed by architectural firm Hassell.

“Geelong Arts Centre will not only be a reinvigorated destination, it will also help service the needs of the growing creative and cultural community,” Hassell principal and head of design Mark Loughnan said.

“Integrating and revealing the church, the design, aims to be experienced as a positive, confident and engaging new identity for the performing arts in Geelong.”

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley officially opened the redevelopment on November 7.

He said GAC was built after locals lobbied and fundraised for a centre “to celebrate local talent and bring the best of creativity to the region”.

“Thirty-eight years later, the community has grown and so has Geelong Arts Centre.

GAC celebrated the opening by staging performances of two shows – The Irresistable and The 39 Steps – last week.

The centre will also host a symposium, “Reflex – the Future of our Creative Community”, tomorrow (Friday, November 15) and Saturday, November 16, as well as a free open house on Sunday, November 17 from 11am-2.30pm. To register, head to https://geelongartscentre.org.au/whats-on/all-events/open-house.