Now in its fourth year, Geelong Design Week is an annual event that showcases the region’s arts and cultural prowess while celebrating its honourable status as a UNESCO City of Design.
The exciting event offers workshops, exhibitions and talks that spotlight multidisciplinary feats in sustainability and problem-solving – Geelong sees creativity and innovation as a way to instigate development and draw creative professionals to the area.
Facility Management sat down with City of Greater Geelong’s coordinator of arts and cultural development Tracey-Lea Smith to discuss the hefty operational task behind Geelong Design Week, alongside the profound impact of arts and cultural events on regional areas and the transformation of Geelong’s social and cultural landscape.
City of Greater Geelong’s coordinator of arts and cultural development Tracey-Lea Smith never grows tired of watching artists and creative professionals embrace opportunities that lead to success – and Geelong Design Week provides Smith with a ring-side seat to witnessing the fulfilling actualisation of an artist’s career trajectory.
“There is nothing quite like watching an artist, designer or creative professional seize opportunities to develop a rich portfolio of work and experiences and ultimately achieve success,” says Smith.
With a career start in non-profit organisations, Smith acknowledges the immense privilege that comes from providing a platform for creative exchange and knowledge sharing. She maintains art and culture events elevate the quality of life for communities by bringing in revenue for the local economy and delivering meaningful experiences.
Geelong is currently in the midst of a cultural and social transformation, with the hotly anticipated Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct set to be completed in 2026, the 10-year Geelong City Deal primed to revitalise the area and the recently opened Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library – a multi-purpose facility powerhouse – already hosting inspiring community engagement.
Guaranteed to deliver a palpable energy and buzz to the region, Geelong Design Week seeks to safeguard a creative and innovative future for the city. However, as Smith confirms, it is by no means a simple task – the logistical and operational efforts demand a willingness to adapt and improvise, as she shares with this masthead.
Facility Management: Can you provide an outline of your career background and what led you to be the coordinator of arts and cultural development for the City of Greater Geelong?
Tracey-Lea Smith: My career has been driven by a passion for arts and community development and a commitment to improving the quality of life for people in the places I live. I had a career start in non-profit organisations and focused on artist development and cultural programming, including international promotion of Australian creativity. I later lectured in arts management at tertiary institutions before moving into strategic local government roles.
Now, as the coordinator of arts and cultural development and focal point for UNESCO Geelong City of Design, I help drive initiatives that enrich our region culturally, socially and economically, such as Geelong Design Week.
Smith maintains art and culture events elevate the quality of life for communities by bringing in revenue for the local economy and delivering meaningful experiences.
Can you explain the set-up and pack down of Geelong Design Week?
Preparation for Geelong Design Week begins months in advance and involves coordination between designers, businesses, venue managers and volunteers. Our team, including an event coordinator and guest curator, ensures venues have proper infrastructure and technology and provides support with lighting, sound systems, exhibition spaces, signage and staffing, where needed.
The pack-down process involves efficiently dismantling equipment, cleaning venues, de-installing work, and returning all borrowed or rented items with minimal disruption to the community.
What will an average day look like for you during Design Week?
During Geelong Design Week, each day begins with team briefings and coordination meetings. I am constantly on the move – visiting events and venues, liaising with designers and participants and troubleshooting issues. Despite the hectic schedule, the week’s energy and excitement make it incredibly invigorating.
What do you think an event such as the Geelong Design Week gives back to the region, and what does it mean to play an instrumental role in the operation?
Geelong Design Week serves as a vital platform for creativity and innovation in our region. It showcases local designers and creatives while providing opportunities for knowledge sharing and problem-solving through design thinking. Many events discuss pressing issues and foster new ideas and solutions locally. The event’s ability to attract visitors benefits our local economy and tourism sector. Playing an instrumental in delivering this event is deeply rewarding, as we see its positive impact on the community and Geelong’s clever and creative future.
What will be the biggest challenges and obstacles during the week?
One of the biggest challenges during Design Week is managing the logistics of multiple events happening simultaneously across different venues. Coordinating schedules, ensuring timely set-ups, and addressing any last-minute issues require diligent planning and agility.
Additionally, engaging the community and ensuring high participation levels can be challenging but it is crucial to the success of the event.
Geelong’s social and cultural landscape appears to be in the midst of transformation. Are you inspired by the current landscape and what role do you see arts and culture playing in the development of Geelong? Do you see any areas still in need of improvement and attention?
As a UNESCO City of Design, Geelong embraces creativity as a key driver of development. Arts and culture not only stimulate economic growth by attracting investment, tourism and talent, but also support local businesses through festivals, galleries and public art. The projects in the current landscape, including the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, the new Geelong Arts Centre — the largest regional art centre in Australia – and the Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library, signal an exciting transformation.
These developments are attracting creative professionals and innovators to the region, enriching our local economy while celebrating Geelong’s unique history and Wadawurrung culture. While we have made significant progress, we continue to focus on increasing accessibility to cultural events and ensuring diverse representation in our programming.
What are the rewards of your role and what are you most excited about for Design Week?
The most rewarding aspect is witnessing the tangible impact of our initiatives on the community. There is nothing quite like watching an artist, designer or creative professional seize opportunities, develop a rich portfolio of work and experiences, and ultimately achieve success. During Design Week, I am particularly excited about the networks and collaborations that emerge. Facilitating and promoting this creative exchange is a privilege and a joy.
Photography supplied by Geelong Design Week.
Featured Image: McGlashan Everist Geelong Walking Tour, a feature of Geelong Design Week.
