culture
Emerging talent voices and the next wave to watch
Geelong's independent arts spaces are opening doors for a fresh group of writers, musicians and visual artists who have spent the past year developing work outside major institutions.
How we reported this
Fourteen emerging creators from Geelong West and East Geelong will present new pieces at two separate events this month, marking the first public rollout of the 2026 Geelong New Voices program.
The timing aligns with a citywide push to retain young practitioners after several left for Melbourne during the 2024-25 funding squeeze, when local grants fell by 18 percent according to Geelong Arts Council records.
Venues hosting the first wave
The opening showcase runs at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre on Little Malop Street on 19 July, followed by a pop-up exhibition at the old woolstore on Pakington Street in Geelong West on 26 July. Both sites were chosen because they sit within walking distance of tram stops and offer low-cost rehearsal space to participants selected last December.
Applications for the program closed on 3 March with 187 submissions, a 31 percent increase from the previous round. Accepted artists receive a $1,800 materials stipend and two weeks of free access to the Pakington Street studio between 10am and 4pm daily.
Next steps for audiences and participants
Tickets for the 19 July event go on sale tomorrow at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre box office and online for $22, with a $15 concession rate for residents holding a current Geelong library card. Those interested in the 2027 intake can collect guidelines from the front desk at the Geelong Regional Library on Moorabool Street starting 1 August.