HOTA outdoor stage. Photo: John Gollings. Image supplied.
The Arts Centre Gold Coast has announced a change of name and a new outdoor program. Now officially known as Home of the Arts (HOTA), the rebranding is the culmination of years of planning around the city’s new $37.5 million outdoor stage and arts precinct.
‘A new name, a spectacular new venue, and a wonderfully energised new program comes as the result of many years of planning and hard work by multiple teams and a huge commitment from the City of Gold Coast,’ said HOTA Chair, Robyn Archer AO.
‘This moment is the inspirational beginning of a new era for the Gold Coast, for both its residents and its millions of visitors. At last, the sixth largest city in Australia has created a brilliant state-of-the-art platform for the commissioning, producing and presenting of the most exciting artists from the region, the nation and the world,’ she said.
The announcement also introduced the first outdoor program at HOTA, which will start with a free concert on 17 March by the internationally acclaimed comedian, composer and singer, Tim Minchin.
Highlights of the 2018 program include Australian music legend Neil Finn and performances by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
In a major coup for the region, multi-award winning and pioneering musician and film director, Laurie Anderson, will leave her home in New York to take up residency at HOTA.
What you will find at HOTA
Set on more than 3,000sqm of landscaped lawns, the outdoor stage was designed by Australia’s leading creative firm, ARM Architecture. It features a bi-fold proscenium door and a self-supporting 100 tonne shade structure. The design encourages flexibility, and can be left open for large scale events or transformed into an intimate black box with cabaret-style seating.
‘This magnificent and state-of-the-art $37.5 million Stage 1 is just the beginning for HOTA, and there is much more to come. Today we pay tribute to a truly extraordinary new precinct for not only our region and state, but for the country – it is a place where artists from all over the world can converge and perform, create and mentor,’ said City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
‘The next stage of construction, scheduled to begin in mid-2018, will be a new green bridge across to Chevron Island which will be followed in late 2018 by a new Art Gallery. Once built, it will be the largest regional art gallery in Australia. The Gallery will become a cultural beacon showcasing the City of Gold Coast art collection and hosting international exhibitors of a calibre never seen before on the Gold Coast.’
HOTA CEO Criena Gehrke said Home of the Arts presented a once-in-a-generation transformative program for the cultural life of the Gold Coast.
‘Surrounded by parkland and lake with Surfers Paradise as the backdrop, HOTA, Home of the Arts is a place for live performances, lake-side strolls, star-gazing, farmers markets, cinema-watching, art and new-ideas, gathering, dance, creation and more. We are now home to the Gold Coast Film Festival, and are working with The Farm, Bleached Arts and The Walls,’ she said.
‘We call out to all fans and followers of arts, entertainment, creativity, music, storytelling and more – come and visit, go for a swim, dry off your sandy feet and wander over to the outdoor stage to experience world class artists. Welcome home!’
A new mural by New York based street artist MOMO was also unveiled today. Best known for his huge, playful, complex and brightly coloured abstract murals, the internationally famed MOMO was chosen from more than 120 submissions to create a piece for the walls of the tower at HOTA.
‘The MOMO mural is a proud statement of the new direction that we have taken as we become HOTA, Home of the Arts. To attract an artist of MOMO’s calibre is a real coup and underlines the commitment we have to bringing great art and artists to the Gold Coast, as well as ensuring artistic leaders share their knowledge and skill via mentorships with our local artists,’ said Gehrke.
Full outdoor program
- TIM MINCHIN IN CONCERT, 17 MARCH. FREE (tickets required)
- CONCERT FOR THE PLANET, 24 MARCH. FREE
- DANCING ON THE GREEN, 21 APRIL (then monthly). FREE
- CLASSIC FLOW LIVE: YOGA BY THE LAKE, 12 & 13 May. FREE (registration required)
- THE SPIRIT OF CHURAKI, 26 MAY. FREE
- LAURIE ANDERSON IN RESIDENCE, 18 – 24 JUNE.
- QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – FROM JAWS TO JURASSIC THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS, 16 JUNE.
- NEIL FINN WITH ORCHESTRA: OUT OF SILENCE, 30 JUNE. TICKETS Adult $59 / Child $49 + booking fee
- CORROBOREE, ON THE FIRST DAY OF EVERY MONTH. FREE
To find out more, visit Hota.com.au
