Art and Culture in Geelong: Galleries, GPAC and the Creative Scene

Geelong has a cultural infrastructure that reflects its position as Victoria's second city and its wealth of heritage wool-economy buildings now converted to arts uses. The Geelong Art Gallery on Little Malop Street is the flagship with a significant permanent collection and strong touring exhibition program. The National Wool Museum occupies a heritage bluestone wool store on Moorabool Street and runs cultural programs alongside its collections. The GPAC (Geelong Performing Arts Centre) runs a full year-round performing arts calendar including Theatre, musical theatre, comedy and dance. The Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is an architectural landmark open to the public and housing the local history and heritage collections. The ArtSpace Mackay precinct and various artist-run initiative spaces in the inner city show emerging and contemporary work. The Bellarine Peninsula's Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale have art galleries and craft studios that are part of the Surf Coast arts trail. The Geelong After Dark festival runs free outdoor public art and performance events through the cooler months.