Built on the dreams of the local community, with government funding assistance, The Gem Community Arts Centre is the perfect venue for your ongoing facility needs or your next event. The centre boasts numerous spaces available for hire, is adaptable for every budget and provides a state of the art entertainment facility for the population of Emerald and the surrounding communities of the Dandenong Ranges.

Here are just some of the ways in which the centre can be used.

Art Exhibitions • Conferences / Meetings • Parties / Weddings • Presentations • Exercise Classes • Dance / Music Concerts • Recitals • Musical Theatre • Theatrical Performances • Theatre Dinners • Rehearsal Space ... and more.

Information

With several different areas for hire The Gem Community Arts Centre provides you with a blank canvas for your ongoing facility needs or your next big event.

On this area of the website you will find:

  • specifications - technical and facility
  • Terms and Conditions
  • venue floor plan
  • theatre seating plan

If you require any special requirements we will be only too happy to help. Please call 5968 2844 for any enquiries.

Specifications

Overall Facility

Maximum capacity - 150
Car Parking - available onsite for 50 cars.
However, we share this with the school and basketball facility next door, and there are also events that occur around the town such as Day Out with Thomas and monthly Emerald Market Days. The car park is owned by the Cardinia Shire Council and if you wish to use this area exclusively you need to contact them.
Wheelchair access - accessed from the school end of the car park onto the covered verandah. All spaces except for the train carriage and on to the stage are wheelchair friendly.
Toilets - situated off the main foyer and another set are accessible from the covered verandah.
Heating and Cooling - reverse cycle air-conditioning operate throughout the whole venue as required. The theatre and the hall have ducted heating.
Announcements - PA system can operate throughout the whole venue.
Piano - Yamaha upright piano

Foyer / Gallery One

Standing / Cocktail capacity - 80
Seated capacity - 30
Lighting - LED downlights. Adjustable track lights on three walls.
Picture hanging - hanging system on three walls

Bar / Gallery Two

Standing / Cocktail capacity - 50
Lighting - LED downlights. Adjustable track lights on three walls.
Picture hanging - hanging system on one wall

Hall

Standing / Cocktail capacity - 120
Seated capacity - 60
Theatre set up - 70, unfixed seating (with stage)
Lighting - Tungsten pendent. 3 phase power available (one outlet). 4 Luminaries.
Walls - wood panelling and plaster painted cream
Flooring - polished timber floor boards

Auditorium

Seats - 120 - 84 fixed raked seats, 36 unfixed
Stage - Stage 10–13m Proscenium opening–9m deep.
Lighting - 25 Luminaries. 9 RGBW LED Fixtures. 24/48 Desk
Sound - 12 Channel audio system. 8 mic lines to stage
Multi-media - projector, front and back. scrim.
Access - External access available via stage door at rear of theatre
Staging - Floor surface is black Masonite panels laid over hard wood

Dressing rooms are both equipped with basin, shower, toilet and hall / theatre video relay. Heating and cooling. Mirrors. Additional spaces available for dressing room use upon request.

Kitchen contains refrigeration, conventional oven and cook top. Access to the kitchen is limited at the moment, however if you need to use the kitchen we can discuss the options with you.

Rates

Fill in the Venue Hire Form and you will be contact about the rates by the Treasurer.

The Gem Community Arts Centre is a constantly evolving project which will grow with each event it caters for.