Unleash a creative city
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE GOLD COAST? “The southern coastal strip from Currumbin to Kirra and Coolangatta is closest to my own heart.
“The people are a gutsy lot who make things happen but it is their creative spirit that draws me in, with its undercurrent of expression and burgeoning ideas that feeds into a community of homegrown quality artisans, designers and artists.
“There are the beautiful beaches and great weather, open spaces and a richness of natural assets from the hinterland to the surf. I love that you can then sneak across the border and within minutes be surrounded by cane fields on the drive to Byron or Bangalow.
“And in hospitality, too, the Gold Coast has curated an outstanding culture. The region produces fine coffee and incredible food from local produce, making eating and drinking our way south from Burleigh to Coolangatta one of life’s greatest pleasures.
WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD BE DONE BETTER ON THE GOLD COAST?
“I think we need to take a leap of faith to build on the success of existing cultural events and to diversify the region’s artistic offering by placing appropriate value on the arts.
“This means recognising that arts and culture are intrinsic to the identity of a progressive city, and investing generously in offerings that have had proven impact on the Gold Coast in terms of social, cultural and economic value.
“We need to leverage that
success to gain support for arts and culture in our city, by nurturing new offerings and also fostering and rewarding a corporate culture that backs these events.
“To this end, the Cultural Precinct and City Gallery are exciting developments and opportunities for the city.
“I also think our cultural history should be recognised through a deeper understanding
of local indigenous areas across the Coast, through education and acknowledgement of country, traditional sites, and languages..”
IN YOUR TRAVELS, WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN ELSEWHERE YOU THINK COULD WORK HERE?
“I am a cultural tourist. I seek out galleries, musicians and
bands, theatres, architecture and history, films, performances, natural spaces and quirky retail laneways.
“The Gold Coast is hankering for a sculpture park of serious proportions and scaled works like New Zealand’s Gibbs Farm or the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
“There are a number of sculpture parks in Japan.
“At sculpture parks of that scale, signature pieces of public art become a destination. They are at once mind-blowing and uplifting, and carefully curated so that there’s a connection from art to people and place.
“On the Gold Coast where culture is so varied, sustaining urban, beach and hinterland life, art renders meaning and provides insight, leaving us inspired and in love again with life in this great city.” IF MONEY, TIME, LAWS AND APPROVALS WERE NO ISSUE, WHAT IS THE ONE BIG PROJECT YOU’D UNDERTAKE TOMORROW?
“It would have to be a permanent sculpture park as I have touched on above. The wide, open space and rolling hills of Currumbin Valley would provide a breathtaking permanent setting for works to be exhibited against a backdrop of the beauty and uniqueness of the Australian bush.
“Incorporated into this open-air gallery of gigantic and motivating magnitude could be spaces for temporary exhibitions, artist talks, a working farm, produce and artisan cafe, with potential also for educational workshops and school and group tours.
WHAT CONVERSATIONS SHOULD GOLD COAST MOVERS AND SHAKERS BE HAVING? “Conversations around collaboration need to be heard, especially between events, organisations and businesses that have a successful track record of delivering incredible experiences and imparting social, cultural and economic benefits to the city.
“If we are going to rely on tourism to lead our local economy, let’s invest resources and energy into building our multifaceted creative industries into a viable and strong sector of arts, film, music, culture, design and innovation.
“People thrive on art and they want to be entertained. The Gold Coast is hungry for it!
“We also need talk about sustainable development while embracing our natural assets and our heritage.
“Retaining that visual recognition of our past is a window to our collective soul.”