Heritage church to become Geelong Arts Centre performance venue

The Geelong Arts Centre will have a new live performance space when a heritage church is redeveloped.

Geelong Arts Centre chief executive officer Rhys Holden outside the church.

A historic church next to the Geelong Arts Centre building will be transformed into a new live performance venue.

The Ryrie St facing heritage church, dating back to 1857, was restored during the $180m redevlopment of the arts centre.

It was previously concealed behind the former Band of Hope building.

The church, a defining feature of the venue, will be redeveloped internally by Plan Group alongside LIMINAL Architecture.

Work will include significant structural renovations, acoustic enhancements, and upgrades to create a fit-for-purpose performance space.

Creative Industries minister Colin Brooks said generous donations to the The Church Giving Campaign enabled the development.

A heritage church will be transformed into a live performance venue.

In addition to the construction project, funds raised will support essential operational and audio equipment and ensure that Geelong Arts Centre can offer the new venue at affordable rates.

“We have been proud to invest in Geelong Arts Centre’s transformation into the largest dedicated regional arts centre in Australia, and an extraordinary creative hub for the Geelong region,” Mr Brooks said.

“This transformation was always a partnership with the community, and I welcome the generous donors and supporters who have contributed to The Church Giving Campaign.”

The centre’s chief executive office and creative director, Rhys Holden, said access to an affordable performance space was key to a thriving creative scene.

“This venue will serve as an incubator for live performance, ensuring

emerging talent has the space and support needed to develop and showcase their work,” Mr Holden said.

Originally published as Heritage church to become Geelong Arts Centre performance venue