First Nations artwork is set to bring Geelong Arts Centre to life, submissions are now open for artists
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12.07.2021

First Nations artwork is set to bring Geelong Arts Centre to life, submissions are now open for artists

Geelong Arts Centre's Ryrie Street Building Illumination - Inspired by 2021 Reconciliation Week Artwork - 'Action' by Jessica Johns

An exciting design opportunity for First Nations artists.

For the past few decades, Geelong Arts Centre (previously known as Geelong Performing Arts Centre, or GPAC) has offered a unique mix of theatre shows and events that educate, enlighten and bring together like-minded people.

The key takeaways

  • New plans to integrate public artwork by First Nations artists into the $140 million Little Malop Street redevelopment have been revealed
  • Four First Nations artists will be selected to create work that reflects the significant Indigenous connection to Country, history and culture of the region.
  • Submissions are now open

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As part of the Geelong Arts Centre’s Little Malop Street ambitious and exciting redevelopment, a design opportunity has been announced for First Nations artists to create public artworks to be integrated into the design of the new arts space.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Acting Minister for Creative Industries Gabrielle Williams announced that an Expressions of Interest process will select up to four First Nations artists to create work that reflects the significant Indigenous connection to Country, history and culture of our beautiful region.

Expressions of Interest are open to experienced First Nations sound and visual artists, and all submissions must be considerate and respectful of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners’ cultural rights and responsibilities.

“Geelong Arts Centre’s Little Malop Street redevelopment is a transformative project for the local creative community and for the region,” says Williams.

“It’s a project with creative people at its heart and these art commissions will be an incredible opportunity to showcase the talents of our First Nations artists to audiences visiting the new centre, which is expected to grow to more than 400,000 each year.”

The selected artists will work with managing contractor Lendlease, project architects ARM and the project partners – Geelong Arts Centre, Creative Victoria and Development Victoria – to turn their creative concepts into artwork and soundscapes that will be integrated into the design of the redeveloped Centre.

These works will be incorporated into four different locations within the built fabric, and aim to inspire, affirm, provoke, embrace and embolden culture for this region.

Geelong Arts Centre’s Little Malop Street redevelopment commenced in 2020 and intends to completely transform the existing Little Malop Street building, providing a 500-seat, 250-seat, and black box theatre, an outdoor atrium, more dining options, an upgraded box office and refurbished back-of-house and administration facilities. The vision for the completed Little Malop Street redevelopment is bold and places artists, community and creatives within the creative heart of Geelong. The redevelopment is expected to be complete in 2023.

Expressions of Interest for the First Nations design opportunities are now open via the Buying for Victoria and Geelong Arts Centre website. Submissions close on 29 July.