Geelong Performing Arts Centre

About

Geelong Arts Centre, formerly the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), is a performing arts, functions, and events venue located in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The complex is located between Little Malop and Ryrie Streets in central Geelong, and comprises a number of venues. It also hosts Creative Engine, a sector of the organisation that runs programs such as Community Fuel.

Proposals for a performing arts centre in Geelong were first made in the 1970s. The site chosen had a number of existing buildings on it:

A temperance hall was located on the corner of Little Malop Street and Aitchison Place. It was erected in 1858/59, the foundation stone being laid on 15 November 1858. This distinctive conservative classical building with Barrabool freestone facade, ornate central parapet entablature supported on Tuscan Doric pilasters and matching entrance portal was designed by an unknown architect for the Geelong Total Abstinence Society. The Hall was later used as a Grammar School in 1864. The hall was demolished in 1978 to enable the construction of GPAC. The stones were numbered and put into storage for future rebuilding, the current location being unknown.

Further information: Mechanics' institutes in Australia A meeting was held in 1842 to investigate the opening of a Mechanics' Institute in Geelong. The first building was opened in 1846, with a new building opening on the current site on Ryrie Street on March 3, 1856. At some point the building gained a 2nd storey, before it was destroyed by fire in 1926. A new hall was built on site, and was known as the Plaza Theatre. The facade of this building was retained in GPAC.

- Main article: Ryrie Street Presbyterian Church

The Ryrie Street Presbyterian Church opened in 1857, and was known as the 'Steeple Church'. It was designed by John Young in 1856 and built in bluestone in an Early English Gothic style. In 1914 the congregation moved to Newtown and became St. David's Presbyterian Church. The steeple was dismantled in 1913, and the present row of two-storey shops along Ryrie Street were built, although the main body of the church still exists today as part of the performing arts centre.

Construction of the centre commenced in 1978 with the demolition of the Temperance Hall. The centre was designed in a Brutalist style with exposed concrete. It was officially opened in 1981.

Geelong Performing Arts Centre is a statutory authority and was established by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980.

The Geelong Performing Arts Centre has undergone redevelopments, including physical changes to their entertainment spaces, including new theatres, public buildings and hospitality and branding changes, including renaming the centre to Geelong Arts Centre. [ when? ] [ citation needed ]

Some of its venues have been temporarily closed during a redevelopment of the Little Malop Street building, with the project funded to the tune of A$140 million, and scheduled to be completed in late 2023. ARM Architecture is principal architect on the project, with Lendlease appointed by the Victorian Government to lead the delivery of the project.

With the completion of the redevelopment, there will be a 500-seat theatre, 250-seat theatre, and black box theatre. There will be more facilities for the general public, including an outdoor atrium and more restaurants, and the new building will have an office and other administration facilities.

A temperance hall was located on the corner of Little Malop Street and Aitchison Place. It was erected in 1858/59, the foundation stone being laid on 15 November 1858. This distinctive conservative classical building with Barrabool freestone facade, ornate central parapet entablature supported on Tuscan Doric pilasters and matching entrance portal was designed by an unknown architect for the Geelong Total Abstinence Society. The Hall was later used as a Grammar School in 1864. The hall was demolished in 1978 to enable the construction of GPAC. The stones were numbered and put into storage for future rebuilding, the current location being unknown.

Further information: Mechanics' institutes in Australia A meeting was held in 1842 to investigate the opening of a Mechanics' Institute in Geelong. The first building was opened in 1846, with a new building opening on the current site on Ryrie Street on March 3, 1856. At some point the building gained a 2nd storey, before it was destroyed by fire in 1926. A new hall was built on site, and was known as the Plaza Theatre. The facade of this building was retained in GPAC.

Main article: Ryrie Street Presbyterian Church

The Ryrie Street Presbyterian Church opened in 1857, and was known as the 'Steeple Church'. It was designed by John Young in 1856 and built in bluestone in an Early English Gothic style. In 1914 the congregation moved to Newtown and became St. David's Presbyterian Church. The steeple was dismantled in 1913, and the present row of two-storey shops along Ryrie Street were built, although the main body of the church still exists today as part of the performing arts centre.

Construction of the centre commenced in 1978 with the demolition of the Temperance Hall. The centre was designed in a Brutalist style with exposed concrete. It was officially opened in 1981.

Geelong Performing Arts Centre is a statutory authority and was established by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980.

The Geelong Performing Arts Centre has undergone redevelopments, including physical changes to their entertainment spaces, including new theatres, public buildings and hospitality and branding changes, including renaming the centre to Geelong Arts Centre. [ when? ] [ citation needed ]

Some of its venues have been temporarily closed during a redevelopment of the Little Malop Street building, with the project funded to the tune of A$140 million, and scheduled to be completed in late 2023. ARM Architecture is principal architect on the project, with Lendlease appointed by the Victorian Government to lead the delivery of the project.

With the completion of the redevelopment, there will be a 500-seat theatre, 250-seat theatre, and black box theatre. There will be more facilities for the general public, including an outdoor atrium and more restaurants, and the new building will have an office and other administration facilities.