Imagine. Discover. Explore.
Over 60 exhibitions, workshops, tours, open studios and more.
Scroll down to browse events, book tickets or download a copy of the program.
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Design Your City Competition
18 March
Are you a budding young designer? Have you got a great idea to improve our city? Enter our Design Your City Competition.
Submit your ideas for a new urban design concept for the city: be it a building, park, service or more! Be inspired by the How Cities Work exhibition at the National Wool Museum and respond to the festival theme by preparing a design to help city residents deal with the unpredictable.
With great prizes and a chance to share your ideas with the community – this is a great opportunity for our future design leaders to make their mark!
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Bright lights in the big city
From 18 March
Stunning animations have been designed to illuminate and transform the iconic architecture of City Hall. This dazzling program of large format projections is by commissioned artists Matt Bonner, Alex Evans and Olaf Meyer. Nightly from 8.30pm – 11:30pm. No bookings required.
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Rone in Geelong
From 27 February
Over the last two decades, Geelong-born artist RONE has built an exceptional reputation for large-scale wall paintings and immersive installations that have thrived on the unpredictable outcomes of different sites. RONE’s new site-specific installation will extend his fascination with the concepts of beauty and decay, and transform Geelong Gallery’s rooms...
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Designed For Action: a Collective Response to Covid-19
From 18 March
How can design be used to share global experiences as they relate to life in a pandemic? This exhibition explores how the collective actions of communication designers around the world use design to communicate important and unifying messages. Designed For Action: a Collective Response to Covid-19 presents a significant body...
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Geelong Illustration Awards
From 18 March
A picture is worth a thousand words. The Geelong Illustration Awards recognises the value of illustration and uncovers the hidden illustrative talent in our region. From book covers, advertising pieces, editorial content and children’s publishing, this exhibition showcases the power and influence of storytelling and it’s impact on our daily...
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The Journey of Extraordinary Encounters
From 18 March
Enter the world of nature’s design principles, following an interactive trail to uncover biophilic design in the city and experience what nature can teach us about how to live better in the urban environment. This event is a deconstructed exhibition and experience across three locations, Johnstone Park, Little Malop Street...
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Hidden Rails – History and Heritage in the Civic Precinct
18 March
Did you know Mercer Street was once home to a railway that ran up Cunningham Pier? Learn from an expert panel how Geelong’s fascinating industrial history is woven into the design of its new Civic Precinct, and make your own impact in a workshop on the exciting possibilities for the...
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Wasteland
From 18 March
The unpredictability of the Covid-19 pandemic and the complexity of the world’s waste problem have triggered negative emotions like anxiety, loneliness, and hopelessness. Wasteland offers an optimistic outlook by finding art in trash, and by showing that these are shared human experiences. Everyone is invited to participate; all that is...
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The Geelong Map: Illustrating Our City
From 18 March
After creating the iconic illustration – The Melbourne Map, the City Maps Illustrated team have turned their talents to documenting Geelong and The Bellarine Peninsula. Our maps spark joy and send the viewer on a journey of familiarity and discovery. This unique event will allow the visitor to ‘meet the...
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Proto-personas! A fast, inexpensive way to design with certainty
18 March
Learn about how Deakin University Library is creating proto-personas to understand user needs, motivation and frustrations, and design better solutions and experiences for users. This informative talk investigates what proto-personas are, how proto-personas are created at Deakin University Library, and how they are used to influence the delivery of the...
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The Compostable Designer
From 18 March
The Compostable Designers design and development studio located in the new Big Boom Gallery will be open to view. Come and see for yourself a brand built to inspire a movement towards change, proudly designed and made right here in Geleong. Designer Kelly Thomas will share with you her journey...
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From then to now: Designing old new again
From 18 March
An intriguing exhibition featuring products using second-hand or repurposed objects and converted into new forms with new uses – brooches from street trash; mosaic jewellery cases using found objects; three dimensional décor integrating old doilies and lace; artworks on glass shards; wall hangings from reused wool; and collages from vintage...
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Bringing the Boyd Collection to Life
From 18 March
This unique exhibition showcases the furniture designs of famous mid-Century Australian Architect Robin Boyd. The exhibit will include pieces designed by Boyd and used in his own private residence. KFive Furniture collaborated with the Boyd Foundation to re-create the exact detail as the original furniture. The exhibition will be held...
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Designing for inclusion
18 March
For the vulnerable people in our community, unpredictability is part of life. In this webinar, hosts Ainslee Hooper and Bree Gorman will discuss strategies to ensure businesses, organisations and individuals are equipped with the knowledge on how to create accessible and inclusive workspaces, both holistic and physical. This event will...
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An altered view
From 18 March
Geelong Art Space invites you to create your own altered view of our city with artist, Katherine Marmaras. Decorate and draw on printed images of local buildings and streetscapes to highlight their design features. Download images from the Geelong Art Space website anytime via the Book Now button or collect them in...
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Makerspace Innovation and Design
18 March
Join the Sacred Heart College team for a tour of the school’s new innovation precinct, and participate in a workshop in the Makerspace development. Learn more about how the College is equipping students for a future yet to be imagined, where technology solves problems yet to be determined. Please register...
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Geelong Digital Outdoor Museum: Western Beach
18 March
Deakin University’s MInD Lab presents the Geelong Digital Outdoor Museum (GDOM), a detailed virtual model of hidden history along Geelong’s Western Beach. The hidden archives of Geelong will come alive with this advanced 3D scanning and Q&A with its creators. It is the first open-air digital exhibition in urban public...
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Powerhouse on the Verge: a perception of the industrial landscape
From 19 March
The exhibition will focus on the North Geelong Powerhouse and its future. It will showcase photographs of the Powerhouse by photographer and artist Ross T. Smith, together with a selection of design projects by students of the Master of Architecture design studio “On the Verge” (School of Architecture and Built...
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Street art and live mural painting
From 19 March
Come and watch mural artist Sai Neoh and GenU artists from James Street Gallery transform a wall into a biophilic designed space. This is a free event (weather permitting). This event is part of the Journey of Extraordinary Encounters Exhibition and Experience, happening all through Geelong Design Week. For more...
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Stitched Up: Stitch, play, cloth
From 19 March
A demonstration and display of traditional and contemporary embroidery and textile arts. Join the members of the Embroiderers Guild in an embroidery demonstration using a variety of different techniques. Come and try stitching with some small projects available to try with our help. Demonstrations will be held on the Friday...
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Mixed Voyage
From 19 March
Two local creatives merge their fields and styles to create an unpredictable result. The Eco-Fashion Designer Fernanda Covarrubias will create a series of upcycled pieces inspired by the city shapes using preloved materials and highlighting the importance of sustainable fashion. Architect and street artist Noe Mondragon will intervene in these...
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Urban design and our Civic Precinct – creating active community spaces
19 March
How do you bring a city to life with design? And what kinds of public spaces would you like to see in Central Geelong? Hear from designers, community leaders and more as they unpack how urban design is creating vibrant and welcoming city spaces. Then dive into the plans for...
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Global Goals Jam Geelong
From 19 March
Global Goals Jam is a three-day event where people work together on local challenges related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). Using a tailored toolkit, we will create impactful submission-ready pitches using design thinking methodologies. The event includes a panel discussion with Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan focusing on the...
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James Harrison (1816-1893) Inventor – Editor – Entrepreneur
19 March
In 1854, Glasgow-trained printer James Harrison, Editor of the Geelong Advertiser 1840 – 1865, invented the world’s first commercial ice-making machine on the banks of the Barwon River. Learn of Harrison’s revolutionary plans to export frozen lamb to England. Join this informative talk about James Harrison, his early years and...
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Unpredictable Ethnoscapes – MURRI:YUL and Dooliebeal
19 March
Dooliebeal is a place of cultural significance in the midst of urban sprawl, shifting ethnoscapes. This event provides an insight into this special place with an immersive experience highlighting the significance of space, place and people. The discussion highlights multi-layered intergrated systems and renaming place. MURRI:YUL is Wadawurrung Traditional Owner...
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TWENTY+ONE: The evolution of STUDIO 101 Architects
From 19 March
In 2021 Studio 101 Architects commemorate 21 years of award winning architecture. To celebrate they have cracked open the archives and pulled together an exciting exhibition featuring 21 images, from 21 projects, during their first 21 years of architecture. The TWENTY+ONE exhibition kicks off with an ‘Opening Night Celebration’ on...
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Open Studios Trail
From 20 March
Discover local artists in their studios and creative venues across Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula during Geelong Design Week 2021. The Geelong Design Week Open Studios Trail will be open over three weekends: 20—21 March, 27—28 March and 10—11 April 2021 from 10am—4pm. Download the free Geelong Arts and Culture...
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The Journey of Extraordinary Encounters, Biophilic Walk
From 20 March
Join this guided walk, led by the curator, and uncover biophilic design in the city, experiencing what nature can teach us about how to live better in the urban environment. It features direct experiences of nature, hidden design gems and the work of leading artists and designers in windows and...
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The Journey of Extraordinary Encounters, ‘Feeling Nature’ performance
From 20 March
Feeling Nature is a 45-minute interactive experience with artist Rea Dennis. Come down to Johnstone Park and explore the way our bodies communicate with the natural world and how nature restores us. Capture a moment and post on our Instagram channel which will be exhibited as Feeling Nature (digital) at...
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James Harrison’s Momentous Achievements – Exhibition
From 20 March
This exhibition honours inventor James Harrison (1816-1893), showing Harrison family memorabilia and models of his machines. It features a timeline of his life’s journeys as editor, scientist and innovator.A civic leader and influencer in early Geelong, James founded the Advertiser in 1840 and invented the world’s first ice-making machine in...
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Broc the Kasbah presents: A tour of the Geelong Souk
20 March
Be transported to the ancient city of Marrakech – a glass of Moroccan mint tea in hand – as you go on a journey through what contemporary sustainable fashion looks like, in the centre of Geelong. A tour of the Broc the Kasbah store – at 109 Moorabool street –...
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Found: The art of making the used reusable
20 March
A discussion on the current state of consumer goods waste and a celebration of the unpredictable ways in which Australians are making the unloved usable again. This event will be hosted both in person (max. 30 persons) and online via the Reimaginarium Facebook page. Online link will be available upon...
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Interregnum Over
From 20 March
Some will remember this place for what it used to be, one of Geelong’s best picture theatres – the Regent Theatre. But generations who only know it as a retail hub with an unassuming façade have speculated about its origins, wondering what lies behind blank walls. Join emerging artist Jack...
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A Clever and Creative solution for stormwater in Geelong
21 March
A guided tour to explore the Stormwater Harvesting Project in Eastern Park. The storm-water dam has created a natural wetland promoting diverse plant and animal life, as well as providing valuable water for Geelong’s parks, street trees and Geelong Botanic Gardens. BYO hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Guided walking tour....
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Adaptation to climate change: Geelong’s 21st Century garden
From 21 March
Take a guided tour of the Geelong Botanic Gardens’ 21st Century Garden. Designed and created in response to prolonged drought, the garden features plants which have adapted to water shortage both in Australia and around the world. The landscape is innovative and initially caused much discussion, both local and international....
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Creative thinking: Art + design workshops
From 22 March
Participants will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of art and design thinking, as they explore works exhibited in RONE in Geelong. Visit Geelong Gallery’s Learn Space to discover the creative process and evolution of the new site-specific installation and other past Geelong-based projects inspired by the artist’s interest...
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A circular approach to a pandemic – designing out PPE waste
22 March
Whilst it may protect us in a pandemic, current disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) does nothing to protect our planet from waste. But what if PPE could be designed to protect human health, and have a positive impact on our planet? Organised by Deakin University, this event will showcase an...
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Hidden Geelong
22 March
The urban landscape of Geelong hides a rich history of Wadawurrung and European heritage. Market Square, nestled in the heart of the city, is a site of immense significance. Hidden beneath the surfaces, and within the bricks and mortar, are important stories that reveal this shared heritage. Learn about the...
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The Young Masters: Unpredict-ABLE
22 March
Unpredict-ABLE celebrates designers responding in moments of surprise or when facing the unexpected. Our host will be renowned leader, Deakin University’s Tuba Kocaturk, Professor of Integral Design and Director of the Mediated Intelligence in Design Research Lab. The Young Masters, Old Collegians working in creative industries, will present short talks...
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Inclusive online design, making sure users don’t miss out
23 March
For everyone who publishes, posts or hosts anything online. Presenters Lyndal Box, Dr Dianne Ashworth and Tim Lucas explain and demonstrate how digital design that looks great can still shut some people out. The webinar covers examples of common issues with webpage navigation, online payments, documents, online meetings and eLearning...
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Internet of Things (IoT) Kickstarter
23 March
Join the Smart Cities team at the Geelong Tech School for a hands-on introduction to the “Internet of Things” (IoT). See how IoT is helping Greater Geelong become an intelligent, data-driven city and how you can participate. In this workshop you’ll learn about the different types of IoT sensors, their...
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Young minds, emerging technologies, future focus
23 March
Come and tour this vibrant, technology rich learning hub inspiring secondary students in ‘design thinking’ with a focus on ‘future skills’. Local secondary students will interact with visitors showcasing their amazing ideas as possible solutions to contemporary issues, followed by a series of presentations with young people pitching their projects....
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Be inspired by Humans in Geelong
23 March
Humans in Geelong use the powerful medium of storytelling to create positive social change. We INSPIRE, CONNECT & STRENGTHEN community! Hear from two inspiring team members and meet others involved in the HuG movement.• We’ll launch ‘The Dance’• We’ll share our multimedia model and how you can get involved• We’ll...
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Reducing unpredictability in health and wellbeing outcomes for workplaces
24 March
Active Geelong is proud to release, exclusively to Geelong workplaces, an internationally developed physical activity program assessment tool. Come and learn how it may just be the game changer for your workplace physical activity program needs. Bookings required.
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How Barwon Water’s Renewable Organics Network is transforming waste into resources
24 March
Join Barwon Water to find out more about the exciting new project converting organic waste into renewable energy, heat, hot water and soil enhancers to create regional prosperity. Get the latest information about the Renewable Organics Network under construction in Colac and future opportunities for our region in this interactive...
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Designing Geelong Webinar Series: What urban design can learn from Country
24 March
Aboriginal people have always been innovators, inventors, storytellers and creatives. How can 67,000 plus years of wisdom provide the basis for urban development? Hosted by Dr Jonathan Daly, Manager of Urban Design and Heritage, City of Greater Geelong Presenters: Jefa Greenaway, Founding Director Greenaway Architects Dillion Kombumerri, Principal Architect, GANSW...
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Age-defying bridges tour
24 March
See how sustainable and innovative solutions have created age-defying pedestrian bridges in our region. Unveiling a world first in bridge design and manufacture. Meet the tour at Federal Mills, to share the story about what makes the bridges so special and ground breaking, followed by a short bus trip to...
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Geelong Inventions: past and future
24 March
Share your thoughts on Geelong’s design and manufacturing history, see an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) demo experience of an iconic local invention the Ford ute (1934) and hear the results of a community survey about the past, present, and the future of Geelong’s inventive heritage at an afternoon symposium. This...
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Geelong, building better blocks
24 March
A thought-provoking facilitated panel discussion, led by former GHD Market Lead & former AWA President Lindsay Brown. The event explores how we can ‘build better blocks” to make unpredictable cities more predictable in relation to, architectural design, infrastructure, new energy and waste to support the growth, prosperity and natural environment...
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Wasteland Open Studio: Meet the creator
24 March
Come behind the scenes of ‘Wasteland’ and learn how art can be shared in its simplest forms with its creator Joseph Yap, an artist and product designer. Wasteland is a dynamic, online, community art project that applies data visualisation design through social media. This event will be held online. Please...
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The rise of the domestic museum: Caring for your collection
24 March
Would you like to discover more about your family treasures? What’s the best way to keep heirlooms safe and how can you share their stories with your family and friends? Send us a photo of your letters, paintings, button collections and other special items by the end of February then...
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Expect the unexpected: An introduction to the Creativity Cluster Exhibition
24 March
Creativity Cluster is a group of nine Victorian artists who each work in a different medium and have a shared passion for engaging with communities. Come along to learn more about why and how Creativity Cluster artists and designers have used discarded, repurposed and second-hand objects in their work across...
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Compelling book design: Re-thinking the cover
24 March
Think book design is just about creating the perfect book cover? Words, pages, cover, spine, ink – book design includes many elements and a good design needs to bring everything together in a way that grabs the readers’ attention and compels them to explore more. Each year the Australian Book...
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TWENTY+ONE: Meet the Architect
24 March
In 2021, STUDIO 101 Architects commemorate 21 years of award winning architecture. To celebrate, they have cracked open the archives and pulled together an exciting exhibition features 21 images, from 21 projects, during their first 21 years of architecture. You are invited to ‘Meet the Architect’ behind STUDIO 101, Peter...
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An Unpredictable Place: cultural placemaking for a revitalised Central Geelong
25 March
The event will explore the future potential for activation of the streets and public spaces of central Geelong. It will look at what cultural placemaking means in the context of Geelong, how Aboriginal cultural heritage can play a role in the city’s cultural placemaking, and how technology – such as...
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Urban art workshop
25 March
Join exhibiting artist Rone and local street artist and educator Glen Smith in a workshop exploring the techniques of urban art. Discover the evolution of urban art and graphic styles, from early Japanese printmaking to iconic contemporary artists like Banksy, before creating your own paste-up. This workshop will be hosted...
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Steve Sammartino: Preparing for the unpredictable
25 March
Steve Sammartino’s high-energy presentation will change the way you look at the world. Steve is Australia’s leading futurist, an acclaimed writer, highly respected media commentator and a technology investor. He built a life size driveable car entirely out of Lego and is currently building the world’s most modern house. Join...
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The MY STORY project
25 March
The MY STORY Project is an opportunity for people with lived experience of disability and mental health challenges to find their own voice and ‘tell their own story in their own way’. Over 100 people participated in the project to develop their storytelling skills through a 12-week mentoring program. The...
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Embodied Design
26 March
Join Blink Dance Theatre for an accessible public workshop that investigates spatial awareness and movement design. Explore basic movement principles to enrich our understanding of ourselves and the spaces we inhabit. Part observation and part practice. No dance experience required.
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Talking art: Urban art—streets of your own town
26 March
Join Geelong Gallery Director & CEO, Jason Smith, and local street art contributors, Laura Alice and Glen Smith, as they tour Geelong’s most exciting street art collaborations throughout the laneways of the Little Malop and James Street precinct. Complete your street art fix with a visit to RONE in Geelong...
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Design a miniature Cityscape
26 March
Construct a miniature cityscape on a colourful 10x10cm tile using found objects from Geelong’s streets and beaches. NancyDee will show you how to create an imaginative, one-of-a-kind design. Bring your own found objects, or select from the nails, nuts, bolts, screws and other metal she has collected to help Clean...
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Pop-Cycle: A mobile placemaking platform
27 March
A unique placemaking platform that uses pedal power to generate a living space on the street. Come along and see a demonstration of the clever and creative Popcycle and its adaptive uses for creating impromptu place activation. No bookings required.
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Design Your City: Design-A-Thon
27 March
Flex your design muscles and get your creativity flowing! Meet experts and finesse your ideas during a fun and dynamic Design-A-Thon. Work with the artist behind How Cities Work James Gulliver Hancock, plus Architectural and Design experts and delve into Design Thinking processes to hone your ideas. Meet other young...
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Pathways to artistic practice in an ever-changing world
27 March
How can we encourage, strengthen and enable our creative community to take risks and develop new ideas? Hosted by Geelong Arts Centre’s CEO, Joel McGuinness, our panel of artists will examine the different pathways to professional practice and discuss how they have forged ahead with artistic projects during this unpredictable...
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Designing an arts centre for the unpredictable future
27 March
Our expert panel will explore how our cultural institutions will keep up with a rapidly changing and unpredictable world. The $167.5m redevelopment of the Geelong Arts Centre provides an extraordinary case-study for incorporating the rich heritage of the original organisation with the evolution in global thinking regarding the role of...
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Found: Designing for a reuse economy
27 March
Presentation of a roadmap for reducing waste, supporting creative reuse, and creating a more circular and sustainable future. This event will be hosted both in person (max. 30 persons) and online via the Reimaginarium Facebook page. Online link will be provided upon registration. Bookings required.
