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The Substation champions contemporary and experimental arts. Housed inside a former industrial building steeped in the rich history of Melbourne’s inner west, The Substation is an arts destination unlike any other in Australia. From our local community in Newport to our national and global network of collaborators and cultural partners, we celebrate artists and ideas that encourage transformative conversations between wide-ranging audiences. Through our ever-evolving program and artist-led initiatives, we support the development of ambitious and inclusive works that defy simple categorisation.

Nuala Furtado, CEO
Anna McDermott, Executive Producer
Rob Sowinski, Head of Production and Operations
Hannah Johansen, Marketing Manager
Kieran Butler, Producer
Shae Rooke, Production Coordinator
Claudia, Visitor Services Coordinator
Ursula Lepporoli, Chair
Isobel Kluge, Treasurer
Kate Seward, Secretary
Monica Lim
Joseph D’Abaco
Joan Rowland
David Martin Harris
Cr Peter Hemphill, Hobsons Bay City Council Representative

Housed within The Substation’s 100-year-old repurposed industrial building, our suite of flexible spaces are available to hire for a broad range of uses. From large ornate windows to high ceilings and natural light, original features remain throughout the building. We are committed to providing accessible venue hire to our community through reduced-cost hires to local not-for-profit and community groups by application.

Main Space: Performances, rehearsals, markets, workshops, events, fashion shoots
450 standing
27,495 (l) × 9,675 (w) × 8883mm (h)
Gallery: Exhibitions, performances, events, fashion shoots
500 standing
15,710 (l) × 18,580mm (w), total space across rooms
Dance Studio: Exhibitions, performances, events, fashion shoots
75 standing, 65 seated
8,685 (l) × 11,523 mm (w)
Enquire about hiring
2023

History/

Established over a century ago to power Melbourne’s suburban rail system, The Substation building is a landmark in the industrial history of the inner west. After ceasing operation in the 1960s and falling into disrepair for three decades, in 1996 two local residents successfully led a campaign to restore and adapt the building for artistic use. Today, as an international destination for contemporary and experimental arts, The Substation both celebrates and transcends its original context in Newport.

Built by Victorian Railways in 1915, The Substation’s iconic neoclassical brick design boasts a level of structural integrity scarcely seen in other substations of the era. While over time the original structure became derelict and gutted, the 1996 campaign resulted in the Victorian State Government granting a long-term lease to the premises and an extensive restoration ensued over the next fifteen years. These efforts, led almost entirely by a small group of dedicated community members and hundreds of volunteers, imbued in the site the local spirit that persists today.

In 2008 the reimagined site opened to the public as Hobsons Bay Community Arts Centre. Later, it would formally adopt the name The Substation and refocus the organisation as a home for contemporary and experimental arts while maintaining the strong local character on which it was founded. Today, with the ongoing support of the Hobsons Bay City Council, The Substation nurtures local artists and audiences while growing an international reputation as a cultural destination that emboldens transformative conversations and innovation in the arts.

Since 2016 we’ve welcomed over 300,000 visitors to The Substation and engaged hundreds of artists to work in our spaces. We’ve hosted sold-out shows by Xiu Xiu, Merzbow, Caterina Barbieri, Discwoman, Moor Mother and Ellen Fullman, and have presented premiere performances by The Rabble, Lee Serle, Alisdair Macindoe, Lilian Steiner, Cat Hope and Chamber Made. Our growing visual arts program has seen us commission major solo exhibitions by Steven Rhall, Phuong Ngo, Yandell Walton, Amos Gebhardt and Melanie Jame Wolf. Through this bold curatorial focus coupled with our unique suburban location, The Substation is now recognised locally, nationally and overseas as one of Australia’s top arts destinations.

Work with us/

Applications closing soon, October 31, 2024
Applications open: Community Reference Group: The Substation is seeking new members to join our Community Reference Group. The Substation’s Community Reference Group (CRG) convenes local knowledge and community stakeholders to provide The Substation with advice that reflects, amplifies, and advocates for the perspectives of the Hobsons Bay community.
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1 Market Street, Newport,
Victoria 3015, Australia

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We acknowledge and recognise the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Yalukit-willam of the Kulin Nation, who are the traditional custodians of the land that The Substation is on. We extend our respects to their ancestors and elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people.

We are committed to continually improving our services to ensure our events can be enjoyed by all. If you have specific access requirements (including seating arrangements for events) please get in touch.

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Exhibition/​Fundraising
The Substation Art Sale /​ 19–26 October 2024/
Substation Program/​Theatre/​Dinner
Pony Cam /​ FEAST/​ 9–19 October 2024/
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