Art show a winner, and next it’s Kylie

GEELONG is enjoying a culture-driven surge as 700 tourists descend on the city daily for the Archibald Prize exhibition.

The exclusive Victorian showing of the country's most prestigious portrait prize has had a strong opening week, averaging about 1000 visitors each day. The Geelong Gallery has had a strong period, with the Archibald Prize crossing over into the groundbreaking Fred Williams in the You Yangs exhibition.

Deputy director Penny Whitehead said the gallery was proving to be a key attractor, with all but 30 per cent of the patrons visiting from Melbourne, Ballarat and beyond.

“About 70 per cent of the visitors are from outside the region, which is a great result,” Ms Whitehead said.

“We have also spoken to cafes and galleries in the surrounding area, who are seeing positive flow-on effects.

“It does demonstrate that the gallery can contribute substantially to the economy and to tourism in the region.”

Two per cent of the visitors are from interstate, boosting the accommodation sector.

Visitor numbers are expected to peak over the November 17-19 weekend of the Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival, which will be mostly held in the gallery and adjoining library.

Hot on the heels of a $450,000 renovation — which has provided fresh and contemporary spaces — the gallery’s momentum is not expected to slow down this summer.

On the final day of the Archibald’s historic debut run, the gallery will unveil a new exhibition celebrating pop legend Kylie Minogue’s striking concert tours.

“I’m excited for fans to get up close and personal with my costumes and to get a glimpse behind the curtain to see some of the design process,” Minogue said.

The world-first free exhibition draws on Minogue’s spectacular stage wardrobe held at Melbourne’s Arts Centre and from tours dating from the late 1980s through to 2015.

Featured designers include Dolce & Gabbana, John Galliano, Julien Macdonald, Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as Aussies Peter Morrissey and Mark Burnett.

Geelong Gallery director and CEO Jason Smith said it was a stunning collection.

“We are genuinely excited to present Kylie on Stage at Geelong Gallery,” he said.

“We expect to welcome thousands of people to view the truly extraordinary design and artistry involved in the making of Kylie’s costumes.”

The exhibition reflects the development of Minogue’s stage persona throughout her career.

Kylie on Stage runs from December 10 to March 4.