Church Redevelopment

THE CHURCH REDEVELOPMENT TURNS UP THE VOLUME ON GEELONG’S LIVE MUSIC FUTURE

Geelong Arts Centre plugs into the power of community in their latest building project, turning the local live music scene up to 11.

There’s a buzz on Ryrie Street—and no, it’s not feedback from a sound check. It’s the unmistakable thrill of a new chapter taking shape as construction comes to an end on The Church Redevelopment Project at Geelong Arts Centre. One of the city’s most recognisable buildings is now on track for a bold transformation, and come mid-2026, it will reopen as Geelong Arts Centre’s fifth performance venue—a vibrant, intimate, artist-led space designed to once again become the heart of Geelong’s local live music and performance ecosystem.

The Church has always held a certain mystique—its iconic façade, lovingly restored during the 2019 Ryrie Street redevelopment, still stands proud. But inside, everything is changing. Structural upgrades, state-of-the-art acoustic treatment, flexible staging, and modern amenities are reinventing this historic gem for a new era of contemporary performance. Think of it as a creative resurrection: a familiar landmark with a daring new soul.

And importantly, The Church doesn’t exist to compete with Geelong’s venues—it exists to complete them: a lively testing ground for emerging and independent artists; a place where young musicians can hone their craft and where established performers can reconnect with their roots, their audiences, and the raw excitement of intimate live performance. It is built deliberately small, deliberately experimental, and deliberately loud.

This project isn’t top-down or theoretical; it’s a direct response to what local musicians and creatives have been calling for. Artists spoke candidly about barriers—high venue hire fees, steep production costs, limited all-ages spaces, and the lack of opportunities for original work. Too many emerging musicians still feel compelled to look to Melbourne for a stage that fits their ambition. The Church aims to flip that narrative and keep Geelong talent right here at home.

Fueling this vision is the incredible support of the community. Through The Church Giving Campaign, an impressive $2.8 million has already been raised, demonstrating just how powerfully Geelong backs its artists. Continued fundraising will help equip the venue with essential audio, lighting, vision, and staging technology, and—perhaps most excitingly—subsidise 100 gigs every year for emerging and independent musicians. That means more first gigs, more breakthrough performances, more music discovery, and more nights where audiences get to witness something brand new.

As Rob Costa, Patron of The Church Giving Campaign, puts it:

With construction almost complete, the anticipation is growing. When The Church reopens in 2026, it will be more than a venue—it will be a cultural catalyst. A place where artists take their first steps or daring next steps; where audiences discover, celebrate, and champion local talent; and where the city’s live music identity becomes richer, louder, and more joyfully its own.

Now is the moment to get involved.

Geelong Arts Centre invites community members, philanthropists, music lovers, and champions of local talent to help shape this new chapter. Every contribution—large or small—helps build a space where creativity thrives, where careers begin, and where Geelong’s next generation of performers finds its home; a venue that reflects Geelong’s spirit: bold, creative, welcoming, and wonderfully alive. 

Donate to the Church Giving Campaign

Your contribution will provide support to Geelong Arts Centre to subsidise ongoing operational costs and equipment, ensuring artists receive the benefit of a low-cost venue hire model annually.

All donations of $2 and above are tax deductible.