Collingwood Yards
+ Add to ItineraryDescription
Collingwood Yards is both a transformational project for its neighbourhood and a proof of concept for a broader goal: to develop a new model of providing affordable and sustainable arts space in Australia.
A heritage site, Collingwood Yards has been a home for arts education, creative development and social impact since its inception as the Collingwood Technical School in 1871. Now a not-for-profit organisation that is home to over 50 arts organisations, artists and creative businesses, Collingwood Yards is a thriving artistic community that supports the development of new work, access to studio spaces, and collaboration between artists.
The existing buildings, including the 1945 Percy Everett-designed administration building, are of social, historical and architectural significance. However, by 2016 the site was mostly vacant, forgotten by changing vocational training trends.
Today, anchored by a selection of gallery spaces and working artists' studios, and entwined with design-centric retailers, cafes, bars and meeting spaces, Collingwood Yards reflects a respectful approach to urban planning. The expansive site inspired Fieldwork to undertake a strategic analysis of the surrounding suburb’s urban ecology and set a new standard for creative communities around the country.
What's On
Open Access
Collingwood Yards is open from 7:30am-11pm for a self-guided experience.
Rooftop tours
Experience an exhilarating rooftop walk with the Collingwood Yards Operations Team. Using plant platforms, you’ll get terrific views from the north west to the north east of the inner city. Participants will don safety harnesses, take a lift to the top floor of the Johnston St building, and pop through a door onto the roof. Using tethers connected to their harnesses and a permanent safety line on the roof, they will get to check out local landmarks from a new perspective—outside, and at four stories high!
Site tours
Join a guided walk through the Collingwood Yards Arts precinct with a Collingwood Yards team member. Hear about the history of the site and the design behind its transformation from technical school to arts precinct.
Images: (1-2) Collingwood Yards Buildings. Photos: Stefan Postles. (3) Keith Haring Mural. Photo: Andrew Cullimore. (4) Aerial view of Collingwood Yards Precinct. Photo: Courtesy of Collingwood Yards. (5) Collingwood Yards Buildings. Photo: Stefan Postles.
Important Details
Tour/event summary information
Friday 25 July
Open access 7.30am—11pm
No bookings required
Saturday 26 July
Rooftop tours run 1pm, 2pm, 3pm + 4pm
Running for 45 minutes in groups of 5
Bookings required
Site tours run 1.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm + 4.15pm
Running for 30 minutes in groups of 20
No bookings required
Sunday 27 July
Open access 7.30am—11pm
No bookings required
Bookings
This program includes both open access and pre-booked components. Where bookings are required—a $7 booking fee applies
First release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 2 July
Second release tickets:Â 10am Saturday 5 July
Meeting Point
Enter the Collingwood Yards precinct via entrance at 35B Johnston St Collingwood. A small marquee and registration table will be set up just inside the precinct entrance. For the rooftop tour, please bring a warm jacket, walking or hiking shoes and a robust sense of adventure!
Accessibility
Partially wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking nearby, Quiet rooms, Sensory friendly, Elevator access
Site is fully accessible, however the Rooftop Tour is not accessible.
