AS AT NOVEMBER 2015
City of Gold Coast Council area
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Purpose
This snapshot provides an overview of arts and culture in the Gold Coast City Council area. It includes demographic information, local plans, strategies and priorities, Arts Queensland funding investment and other relevant arts and cultural information such as, arts and cultural infrastructure, events, festivals and key contacts. The snapshot is intended to inform connections and partnership development within and across Government agencies, industry, professional groups and the community.
Overview
Gold Coast City Local Government Area (LGA) is located 85kms south of Brisbane. The area includes white sandy surfing beaches, rainforest-filled National Parks, multiple diverse waterways and many heritage listed locations.
Gold Coast City LGA is renowned for its lifestyle and bustling tourism industry. It is also the host city for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The City of Gold Coast is the second largest LGA in Australia.
As at 2014, a preliminary estimated resident population is 546,067.The percentage of Indigenous persons in the LGA is 1.3% and 48.9%of Gold Coast locals changed their address in the past 5 years. The top 5 non-English languages spoken at home in the LGA are: Chinese; Japanese; Indo Aryan; Southeast Asian Austronesian, and Korean. 81.9% of private dwellings had an internet connection. The percentage of persons in the Gold Coast LGA with a non-school qualification was 56.2%.The top 5 occupation sub major groups of employment for the Gold Coast were: Sales Assistants; Specialist Managers; Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers; Health Professionals and Business, Human Resources Professionals.Yugambeh and Kombumerri Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the Gold Coast LGA.
Further demographic information is available at:
Overview of arts and culture
City of Gold Coast (the Council) area has an established and active arts and cultural scene. It is well served by a range of arts and cultural facilities, organisations and events, many of which are managed or supported by the Council.
Council has a comprehensive website highlighting the City’s many arts and cultural attributes and opportunities. .
Council has also developed theCulture Strategy 2023where culture is central to community wellbeing, the city's reputation and liveability and economic growth
Council is part of the Regional Arts Development Fund program, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
Arts in Daily Life: Queenslanders and the Arts confirms that Queenslanders are highly engaged in the arts – the events attended, ways Queenslanders participate, thoughts aboutthe arts as well as the barriers preventing Queenslanders from getting involved. The report can be viewed at:
Current relevant plans and strategies
The City of Gold Coast Corporate Reports may be viewed at:
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Arts Queensland funding investment in arts and culture
Program Fund
/Recipient
/Description
/Contact details
/Investment
Regional Arts Development Fund / City of Gold Coast / RADF is a partnership with 59 councils across Queensland supporting quality arts and cultural experiences based on locally-identified priorities, opportunities and capacities / RADF Liaison OfficerDaniel Carroll
(07) 5581 6075
/ In 2015–16 Arts Queensland funding is $100,000.
Organisations Fund / Swell Sculpture Festival / Festival provides artists with the opportunity to exhibit in a highly regarded exhibition set within a visually stimulating, expansive coastal landscape / Natasha Edwards
(07) 5525 6392 / Triennial Funding (2014-2016) $210,000.
Playing Queensland Fund (PQF) / Various / Investment funding for touring performing arts and visual arts experiences to Queensland communities / Arts Queensland
(07) 3034 4016
/ The following productions are scheduled to tour in 2015:
Queensland Ballet
Coppelia
Opera Queensland
The Adventures of Figaro
Queensland Theatre Company
Boston Marriage
Queensland Theatre Company
Kelly
Onyx Productions
360 Allstars
Sunny Drake
Transgender Seeking
Circa Contemporary Circus
Carnival of Animals
Australian Chamber Orchestra
AC02 Ensemble
arTour/Jens Altheimer
Squaring the Wheel
Public art supported through former art+place Queensland Public Art Fund (2007–12) / Various / Public art can play a key role in enlivening public spaces, creating civic pride and attracting cultural tourists / Arts Queensland
(07) 3034 4016
/ Public artworks commissioned and completed 2007–12:
Gold Coast City Council
Helensvale Branch Library - Freedom through Learning
Gold Coast City Council
Southport Broadwater Parklands
Gold Coast Drug Council
Elanora Art+Skate Park
Stadiums Queensland
Gold Coast Stadium Redevelopment - Swell and Kick Off Yr 2 & 3
Queensland Health, Gold Coast Health Service District
Robina Hospital Expansion Public Art
AQ Projects and Programs Fund / Bleach* Festival / To fund a program of contemporary music and associated events for Bleach* 2015. / / $60,000
Details of all Arts Queensland funding investment opportunities are available at
Arts Queensland can be contacted at (07) 3034 4016 and at
Other examples of Queensland Government investment in arts and cultural activities:
Details of Anzac Centenary Queensland at
Details of State Library of Queensland funding, including Public Library Grant allocations, can be found at:
Details of Screen Queensland Screen Culture Funding and recipients can be found at:
Details on Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP) can be found at:
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Festivals and Events
Bleach Festival
Annually: 4-20 March 2016
The Festival program is a feast of contemporary live music, pop up art installations and exhibitions, outdoor film programs, street parties, theatre, and ideas.
GLOW
Annually: April TBC
GLOW seeks to throw a light on the Gold Coast's thriving creative scene. Experience the spectrum of digital arts from animation and projection, to glow yoga and interactive gaming. Be captivated lakeside by the city's dynamic water and laser spectacular.
Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival
Annually:19-22 May 2016
Festival provides a host of Australian and international Blues artists on outdoor stages and in venues throughout Broadbeach
Cooly Rocks On (Rock and Roll Festival)
Annually:3-13 June 2016
The 10 day festival showcases some of the biggest names in Rock 'n' roll, Rockabilly and Swing music, with over 50 bands and plenty of dancing.
Broadbeach Country Music Festival
Annually:17-19 June 2016
Festival sees a mix of board shorts and banjos, surf boards and steel guitars as country music’s finest assemble of free entertainment.
Broadbeach Jazz Festival
Annually: 20-21August 2016
Festival features a number of outdoor stages, and artists performing in venues throughout Broadbeach.
Gold Coast Film Festival
Annually: 31 March – 10 April 2016
Ten day festival of screen culture activities
Sculpture Festival
Annually: 9-18 September 2016
A wondrous display of over 50 sculptures built by local, national and international artists. Over 10 days, visitors can experience the sculptures, enjoy twilight walks, informative artist talks, discover new perspectives, wander through the Swell Smalls Gallery and participate in artist master classes and children’s workshops.
Arts and Cultural Assets
Venues
The Arts Centre Gold Coast
135 Bundall Rd Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
(07) 5588 4000
There are numerous privately owned galleries on the Gold Coast. Check out for details.
19 KAREN Contemporary Art Space
19 Karen Avenue Mermaid Beach Qld 4218
(07) 5554 5019
Watling Art Services and Art Gallery
99 West Burleigh Road Burleigh Heads Qld 4220
Galleries
Gold Coast City Gallery
135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
Museumsand Heritage
Gold Coast Local Heritage Register
Key Contacts
City of Gold CoastCouncil
1300 465 326
Mayor
CouncillorTom Tate
(07) 5581 5283
CEO
Dale Dickson
(07) 5581 8211
Community and Cultural Development Committee ChairCouncillor Robert La Castra
(07) 5582 8206
Regional Arts Development Fund Liaison officer
Daniel Carroll
(07) 5581 6075
CrienaGehrke, Coordinator Arts and Culture
(07) 55816790
Arts and Culture
Museum Development Officer, Queensland Museum(Based in Ipswich)
Josh Tarrant
(07) 3432 5145
Arts Queensland
Partnerships Manager
Katie Edmiston
(07) 3034 4099
Tourism
Tourism and Events Queensland/Gold Coast Tourism
Destination and Corporate Partnerships
Director Jason Thomas
Gold Coast Tourism
1300 309 440
Additional tourism destination information and local tourism profiles can be found through the Tourism and Events Queensland website at
Business/Commerce
Business GC
Tertiary Education
Griffith University
(07) 5552 8800
Bond University
(07) 55951111
Public Libraries
City Libraries
There are 15 public libraries in the Gold Coast region
(07) 5581 6788
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