Geelong Arts Centre

Geelong Arts Centre, formerly the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), is a performing arts, functions, and events venue located in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It is a Statutory Authority and was established by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980 No. 9406.[1] The centre has two major theatres, a number of smaller performance spaces, and a bar, restaurant and cafe. It is located between Little Malop and Ryrie Streets in central Geelong.

Geelong Arts Centre
Little Malop Street entry to the Geelong Performing Centre
Former namesGeelong Performing Arts Centre
Address50 Little Malop Street, Geelong VIC 3220
Coordinates38.1474°S 144.3544°E / -38.1474; 144.3544
OperatorGeelong Performing Arts Centre Trust
TypePerforming arts centre
Genre(s)Theatre, musical theatre, comedy, classical music, ballet and dance
Capacity797 (The Playhouse)
325 (Drama Theatre)
Construction
Broke ground1978
Opened1981 (1981)
Website
geelongartscentre.org.au

History
Alcoa Courtyard

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

Temperance Hall

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.[2] 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.

Mechanics' Institute
Mechanics Institute building on Ryrie Street, 2007

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.[3] The facade of this building was retained in GPAC.

Steeple Church
Rear of the former 'Steeple Church', 2007
Band of Hope building on Ryrie Street, formerly the 'Steeple Church', 2007

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.[4]

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,[5] and consists of a number of separate venues:[6]

  • The Playhouse (known as Ford Theatre until 2011): 797 seat proscenium arch theatre with dress circle and fly tower.
  • Drama Theatre (known as Blakiston Theatre until 2011): 325 seat studio-style theatre.
  • Alcoa Studio: 20.5m x 10m dance studio with a sprung floor, stage and mirrors. It is located in the former Steeple Church.
  • Ballet Studio 2: 15m x 9m dance studio with a sprung floor, ballet bars and mirrors. It is located in the upstairs area of the former Mechanics' Institute.

Sponsorship

In order to raise funds for the construction of the centre corporate sponsorship was sought. A number of Geelong companies pledged funds and had sections of the centre named after them. The main theatre was named after major sponsor Ford. The second theatre was named after Blakistons, a local transport company; the main foyer after Shell; and the courtyard after Alcoa.

Corporate sponsorship continues to support the running of the centre today.

Management

The Geelong Arts Centre is a state owned cultural agency that receives funding through the financial assistance of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoriat.[5]

The centre is managed by the members of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust, which was established under the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980. The trust is comprised by persons nominated by the local councils; experienced in the fields of education, business administration, finance or the performing arts; or having an active interest and leadership role in the performing arts.[7]

References
  1. "About us". Geelong Arts Centre. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  2. "Aussie Heritage - Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust Facade". Archived from the original on 19 September 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  3. Begg, Peter (1990). Geelong - The First 150 Years. Globe Press. ISBN 0-9592863-5-7.
  4. "The "Geelong Album"". Deakin University library website. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  5. "About". Geelong Performing Arts Centre website. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  6. "The Venues". Geelong Performing Arts Centre website. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  7. "Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980". Australasian Legal Information Institute website. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
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