The PAC is managed by the Arts & Culture Unit for the Glenelg Shire Council and is the main venue for professional touring performances and exhibitions that form part of the annual ARTSGlenelg Program. The exhibitions in the Portland Arts Centre are normally on display for four to six weeks, and predominantly feature the work of local artists. However, from time to time, the exhibition program is also supplemented by the work of artists from outside the region, or touring exhibitions, some of which focus on social history rather than visual arts.
Our aim is to:
• provide a regular program of quality exhibitions encompassing both visual art and social history
• create opportunities for the display of new work by regional artists and local students
• seek opportunities for the display of touring exhibitions and works by artists from outside of the region
• enable members of the local community and visitors, to have access to exhibits featuring items from the Glenelg Shire Cultural Collection.
There are two linked exhibition spaces available in the venue:
- The main CEMA Gallery is an L-shaped area, which also functions as the Foyer of the venue
- The Woolcock Gallery, a smaller adjoining room, named after Collin & Dorothy Woolcock, can be used as an extension of the CEMA Gallery, or alternatively, can be used as a separate, lockable exhibition space
Both galleries have track lighting and provision for the display of both 2-D and 3-D art works.
CEMA Gallery & Foyer
Floor space: 104 sq. metres Linear space: 26 metres
Woolcock Gallery
Floor space: 39 sq. metres Linear space: 22 metres
Artists wishing to present an exhibition of their work are welcome to submit expressions of interest to the Arts & Culture Unit at the Portland Arts Centre however, artists should note that the PAC is usually booked 12 months or more in advance.
Group exhibitions
There will be two annual group exhibitions featured in the ARTSglenelg Season Program 2022; a First Nations Artists exhibition and the annual Emerging Artists exhibition for year 11 and 12 students.
If you're interested in participating in either of these exhibitions, let us know.
Solo / small group exhibitions
Applications for exhibiting are now open for submissions for 2023.
Artists looking to show their works are required to submit a formal application(DOCX, 90KB) and include exhibition outline, curriculum vitae, and images of work. There is no charge for exhibiting at the PAC, however to help plan your exhibition, it is essential that artists read the guidelines(PDF, 272KB) on exhibiting at the PAC.
A selection panel has been formed to assess applications comprising representatives from Regional Arts Victoria and Glenelg Shire Council’s Arts and Culture Unit.