The atmosphere inside the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) is electric.
It's easy to see why the venue is the crown jewel of the region's vibrant arts scene.
Home to a beautiful 750-seat theatre, complete with a 25-metre-high fly tower, the venue can do it all.
From theatre to dance, comedy to music or community events, GPAC is perfect for professional, amateur and training groups.
Supported by a $12 million investment from the Victorian Government, the venue has raised the curtain on the future of the Gippsland performing arts scene.
A unique design
Located in Traralgon's central business district, GPAC's design celebrates Latrobe City’s rich history though its architecture.
The foyer is home to 10 stunning 'tree' columns that pay tribute to the area's innovative timber industry.
Using local Victorian ash timber, each 9.5 metre column was the result of 16-hours of labor. This work was courtesy of the team at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH).
The process involved sanding and polishing the pieces before fitting them with custom fabricated steel connections.
The pieces were then glue-laminated together. This produced larger and stronger beams, in an outstanding display of manufacturing innovation.
Efforts were also made to keep the design as environmentally friendly as possible.
Each pylon used around 60 cubic metres of timber that will permanently store 21 tonnes of carbon.
It's an impressive design element that immerses visitors in a special experience from the moment they enter the building.
Boosting the economy
Since opening its doors in late 2022, GPAC has drawn tens of thousands of visitors to more than 150 performances and events.
This has increased ticket sales by a considerable margin, with a box office gross of more than $1.8 million in the 12 months between May 2022 and May 2023.
Indeed, GPAC is on track to smash the revenue goals established in the planning phase of the project, providing a welcome boost to the local economy.
All this activity has also provided more than 19 full-time jobs at the centre, with that number expected to jump to 32 jobs over the next 3 to 5 years.
Work is also underway at the centre to establish training programs for performers and crew.
These programs will train and upskill local and regional talent, enabling people to pursue a career in the performing arts.
The power of partnerships
A partnership between all levels of government brought the $42 million GPAC to life.
The Victorian Government provided $10 million through RDV, while a $2 million investment was provided through Creative Victoria.
Creative Victoria also provides $60,000 per annum to support programming at GPAC, through its Regional Partnerships program.
GPAC also received $20 million from Latrobe City Council and $10 million from the Australian Government's National Stronger Regions Fund.