Are you keen on getting around town and seeing what our city of creative practitioners are up to? Here’s where you’ll find a list of Open Studios, Exhibition Spaces and Maker’s Spaces that you can visit. Make sure to check their websites and social media pages for details of their opening hours - times may vary!
Are you a creative? Do you have a studio, shopfront or a display space you open regularly? Drop us a note to let us know your details.
backspace gallery, art gallery of ballarat,
15 lydiard street south, BALLARAT CENTAL
Located within our premier visual arts location, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Backspace is a dedicated gallery space for early career practitioners from the region.
ART SPACE ballarat,
8 LYDIARD STREET SOUTH, BALLARAT CENTRAL
Council supported space for community art shows, exhibitions, rehearsals and more. Open to the public Monday to Friday 10am till 4pm most weeks. Check the Happenings page to view the latest exhibition details.
THE LOST ONES MAKERS STUDIO,
14 CAMP STREET, BALLARAT CENTRAL
Home to expert makers and craftspeople, including a silversmith, leatherworker and traditional textile worker. This is an active working studio which is operated Monday to Friday, and some public sale days. Open to commission. Public welcome to view the makers at work. Find more here
the old butcher shop gallery,
112 SEYMOUR STREET, SOLDIERS HILL
A not-for-profit art gallery representing the works of emerging right through to established artists. A continually developing calendar of works, you can find the practitioners pushing the boundaries. Find out more here.
THE POST OFFICE GALLERY, FEDERATION UNIVERSITY
CNR LYDIARD & STURT sTREETS, BALLARAT CENTRAL
The Post Office Gallery is a vibrant, evolving centre for the creation and presentation of contemporary art. The Gallery's changing exhibition programme features works of art by FedUni's Arts Academy students and staff, local and emerging Australian and international artists, and recent acquisitions from FedUni's extensive art and historical permanent collection. Find out more here.
F.E.A.R exhibition space & workshops
57 BRIDGE MALL, BALLARAT CENTRAL
FEAR was created in 2021 as a way to bridge the gap in artist run spaces within the local creative community. Formed by a group of artists with deep connections in Ballarat, their mission is to encourage empowerment and provide a safe space where voices are not silenced. FEAR is a LGBTQIA+ friendly organisation and supports all those who are oppressed.
GALLERY ON STURT / ACCENT FRAMING
421 STURT STREET, BALLARAT CENTRAL
Operating as a framing shop as well as gallery, Gallery on Sturt shows works by local and regional artists. Open Monday to Friday 10 till 4pm and Saturday, 10am till 2pm. Check out their current exhibitions.
THE WORKSHOPPERY
25-39 barkly square, Ballarat east
Located in an old school building which has been lovingly restored and converted to office spaces, the boutique can be found in the courtyard at 25-39 Barkly Square, Ballarat. While there visit The Barkly Square Cafe by Bakehouse 1816 and The Mens Shed. Opening hours are Friday, 10am to 3pm or by appointment with creative art classes, art club gatherings and workshops for children and adults. Find out more here.
Image by Vegas and Rose Photography
slightly out of town, but worth the trip
Artists and makers are scattered throughout our region, and we encourage getting out to see them. We’ve listed a range of artists, creatives and practitioners who are only a skip and jump out of town.
ruby pilven ceramics studio,
smythes creek, ballarat
Ruby Pilven is a Ballarat ceramic artist who creates brilliantly coloured porcelain ceramics. Having grown up with ceramic artists for parents, Ruby has been involved in ceramics from an early age. Ruby operates Open Studio times, but make sure you contact her to find out dates and times! Find more information on Ruby here.
red echidna studios,
smythes creek, ballarat
Barry Wemyss is a celebrated ceramics practitioner whose love of the teapot, Australian native landscapes and rich glazes has ensured he has a firm group of fans. Barry opens his studio regularly. Check out his Instagram to find out when his next open studio day is.
loft ceramics,
smythes creek, ballarat
If stoneware is your thing, then Sherryn’s collection is definitely worth considering the short drive for. Selling online as well as out of her studio, her collections make every cup of tea worthwhile. Check out Sherryn’s site to find out more.
looking for spaces to do your art and creative practice
Scattered around town are a bunch of different locations and spaces for groups and individuals to teach, practice and engage together. This is only a sample of what we know is available. Do you know more? Drop us a note to tell us more! Also, check out the Spaces button on Arts Atlas to see what’s closest to you.
lucas community hub
Open, welcoming and carpeted, this brand new space is perfect for life drawing classes, watercolour and other clean forms of artistic practice. Bookable with hugely competitive rates for not-for-profit groups, it comes with commercial kitchens and big walls for projection. Parking and accessible. More information here
ballarat east neighbourhood house
The Ballarat East Neighbourhood House was established for the benefit of local residents and the broader community of the Ballarat East area including Ballarat East, Canadian, Eureka, Golden Point, Mount Pleasant, Warrenheip and surrounds.Offering a wide array of classes and courses, get in touch to teach or simply engage.
ballarat south community hub
With high ceilings and natural light, the Ballarat South Community Hub is great for artistic practice, classes and programs. All spaces have access to tea and coffee making facilities. Access to the Hub is from the Tuppen Street entrance of Phoenix P-12 Community College Senior Campus.Get more information and to book
runway fab lab
The Fab Lab in the state-of-the-art Flecknoe Building provides opportunities for the community to access modern means for invention via specialist assistance in 3D printing, laser cutting and PCB design and prototyping. Get in touch to develop your new product or creative project.