Geelong Arts Centre wins prestigious award

GEELONG Arts Centre has been named Australia’s performing arts centre of the year, becoming the first venue to receive the prestigious award twice.

The centre first received the award in 2011.

The accolade was presented to Geelong Arts Centre last week by the Australian Performing Arts Exchange and comes as the centre celebrates the first anniversary of its $180 million redevelopment.

The accolade comes as the centre celebrates the first anniversary of its $180 million redevelopment. Photo: PETER FOSTER

Geelong Arts Centre was praised for its “transformative” redevelopment, co-designed with ARM Architects, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the wider First Nations community, which has helped to position it as “the leading arts centre in the Geelong and surrounding region”.

Its design brings together elements drawn from the history of Geelong, the traditions of circus and theatre, and First Nations culture and connection to Country, with First Nations themes integrated into all aspects of the design process and traditional stories of the land, language, water and sky woven throughout the building.

Geelong Arts Centre’s “deep commitment to the arts, community engagement, accessibility and artistic excellence”, along with its “ground-breaking” Creative Engine program were also highlighted as key factors in its win.

The Creative Engine program provides local creatives with a support base, helping to foster pathways to professional artistic practice through funding opportunities, workshops, professional development, networking and events.

First Nations themes were integrated into all aspects of the redevelopment design process and traditional stories of the land, language, water and sky have been woven throughout the building. Photo: PETER FOSTER

Geelong Arts Centre chief executive officer and creative director Rhys Holden said winning the award for the second time was beyond exciting.

“But what really gets us going is seeing the impact of projects like Creative Engine.

“We’re seeing local artists take their works to international stages, and that’s what it’s all about – nurturing talent and watching it soar.

He said the arts centre’s redevelopment was not just about building a space, but rather about creating a home – “A place where everyone in Geelong and beyond can come together, celebrate culture and see themselves reflected in the arts.”

For information on Geelong Arts Centre’s coming events, head to geelongartscentre.org.au