About Us

The Orbost Exhibition Centre (OEC) delivers an ongoing arts program that nurtures regional creativity and presents Wood Design, Visual Arts and Performing Arts to Orbost, surrounding communities and visitors to the Far East Gippsland area.

Our permanent collection is made up of pieces acquired from the Australian Wood Design Exhibition (AWDE) shows over the past 20 years. The permanent wood design collection is always on display. Since 2020 the AWDE runs bi-annually.

Our purpose-built facility was funded by state and federal Governments, the Myer Fund and FRRR philanthropic trusts and East Gippsland Shire Council. The architecturally designed building was constructed using materials and timber donated by the Orbost Community and local timber mills. We are located on the banks of the famous Snowy River, adjacent the Orbost Visitor Centre (the historic Slab Hut), and Orbost's popular Forest Park. The OEC is a regional centre for both visual and performing arts, an events venue and our shop supports the creative practice and retail outlet for over 30 regional artists and craftspeople.

We are a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation. The OEC receives no ongoing funding for any of our activities. Our capacity to open the doors, hold exhibitions, create arts programs, attract arts and culture opportunities to the area, and support our local creative community is made possible by our committed volunteers. Volunteers are eligible for discounts on their annual membership, contribute to the development of our local arts industry, can learn new skills and enjoy meeting new people. More information about volunteering can be found under the 'Volunteer' tab.

So become a member, hire the venue for your business or private event, or come and visit the facility, with the comfort of knowing you are directly contributing to the success and availability of art and culture experiences in Far East Gippsland.

We are committed to:

Developing strong and enduring partnerships with local Indigenous Peoples.
Creating a place and programs where artists and makers are valued and supported artistically, emotionally and economically .
Encouraging creative practices that are environmentally friendly and help to reduce our environmental impact.
Delivering programs which contribute to the health and wellbeing of our whole region.
Performing responsible, ethical governance and good management.
Programs that nurture partnerships and collaboration.
Preserving and maintaining the OEC building, and advocating for improvement of its surrounds.
Attracting arts and culture experiences to our region so that our rural and regional community has the opportunities provided through access to the arts.
Supporting the development of local artist and works and introducing them to audiences within and outside our region, to demonstrate the quality and variety or the arts in regional communities.