Wollongong Arts and Culture Guide: Wollongong Art Gallery, the Steel City creative scene

Wollongong's arts and culture landscape reflects the city's transition from its industrial steelmaking identity to a more diverse economy built on education (the University of Wollongong is a significant cultural and creative anchor), the creative industries, and the distinctive Illawarra cultural identity that combines working-class heritage with the extraordinary natural environment of the escarpment and coast. The Wollongong Art Gallery (one of the finest regional art galleries in NSW), the UOW's Illawarra cultural contributions, and the live music scene that produced a remarkable number of nationally recognised artists make Wollongong a significant regional arts city.

Wollongong Art Gallery — the Wollongong Art Gallery (Kembla Street, CBD) is one of the finest regional art galleries in NSW, with a strong collection of Australian art from colonial period to contemporary and an excellent program of temporary exhibitions. The gallery's collecting emphasis on Illawarra artists and the working history of the city's steel and coal industries provides a distinctive regional collecting perspective. Entry is free.

Merrigong Theatre Company — the Merrigong Theatre Company (operating the IPAC Theatre at the Innovation Campus and the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre at the Crown Street Mall site) is the major performing arts organisation in the Wollongong region, presenting major national touring productions and supporting local and regional performing arts development. The Merrigong season covers theatre, dance, music, and comedy across its venues.

University of Wollongong arts — the UOW's academic arts programs (visual arts, creative writing, music, performing arts) and the UOW galleries (the University Gallery in Building 26) provide significant arts activity and cultural programming on the Wollongong campus. The UOW Creative Arts Faculty has produced significant Australian artists and writers.

Illawarra live music — the Illawarra's live music scene (the Anita's Theatre in Thirroul, the UniBar, and the Illawarra venues) has produced nationally recognised Australian rock and alternative music artists from the Illawarra's working-class cultural milieu. The proximity to both Sydney and the ACT cultural scenes provides Wollongong audiences with excellent access to national touring productions that use the Illawarra as a regional stop.

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