Hawthorn Arts Centre

The Hawthorn Town Hall has been converted into a new heritage inspired arts and cultural space and renamed the Hawthorn Arts Centre.

The upgraded facility will support the presentation of diverse visual art and performing arts programs, civic events, as well as community and corporate activities.

The Hawthorn Arts Centre presents an exciting and diverse arts program that aims to engage and entertain.

The centre also has a variety of performance, meeting and function spaces available for hire, which are suitable for community, corporate and social use. The large foyer spaces are perfect for displays, conference registration and pre- and post-event functions.

We offer a ticketing and box office service, as well as in-house catering and professional technical and front-of-house staff.

Incorporating the Town Hall Gallery and its retail space The Emporium, the centre has everything for a first-class arts and cultural experience.

Opening Hours:

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Building History

Architect John Beswicke's spectacular Second-Empire-style Town Hall was completed in 1889, and opened with a Grand Ball. Built in a Renaissance style it was described as a two storey brick and stucco building with a 100ft (30.48m) tower. It was home to municipal offices, post office, fire station, police station and courthouse.

Overtime the building has evolved with the community, with additions such as the clock tower, balcony, marble stairs, entrance foyer and stunning art-deco chandeliers added to make it one of Melbourne's most iconic buildings.

In 2013 the town hall was reimagined and redeveloped into the Hawthorn Arts Centre comprising of a gallery, performance spaces, Boroondara's 360 Youth Services, function rooms and artist studios - it is a beautiful example of perfectly blended 19th and 20th Century architecture.