How can community spaces evolve to better serve modern needs? Our inspiring panel discussion explored how spaces across the Gold Coast are transforming in exciting, innovative ways. With a special spotlight on HOTA and its journey to becoming a dynamic cultural hub, the panel also took a broader look at other key venues like the Tugun Community Centre and a range of music venues.
Panellists
Moderator Joe Snell: Joe Snell’s experience as a Registered Architect has crossed the fields of architecture, interior design, large scale urban event installation and lighting design. His passion is the cross-pollination of ideas through different typologies and the pursuit of each project as a work of creativity. This approach is reflected in the recognition Joe has received in national design awards in retail, commercial, event and retail projects.
Helen Glengarry: Helen leads the City of Gold Coast’s Music Program, with over 20 years of experience in the music industry, predominately in venue management and programming within the performing arts, commercial music & theatre, exhibition, and sporting environments nationally and globally. Helen has worked across all levels of city infrastructure from theatre, concert halls, arenas, and stadia. Her current role focuses on investing in, connecting, and creating commercial pathways between musicians, the music industry, audiences, and government. Helen is a judge on the international 2024 Music Cities Awards.
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Dr Ben Green: Ben is a Griffith University Postdoctoral Fellow in the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research where he is studying crisis and reinvention in Australia’s live music sector (project website: https://roaringtwenties.live). Ben is a cultural sociologist with interests in popular music and youth studies. His work includes research for industry peak bodies and local governments on cultural infrastructure, planning and policy, especially live music development. He has written about Australian popular music history including music festivals, community and national broadcast media, record stores, and specifically Brisbane’s music scenes, as well as the role of cultural policy. Ben’s is the author of Peak Music Experiences: A New Perspective on Popular Music, Identity and Scenes (Routledge 2021) and a co-editor of Popular Music Scenes: A Regional and Rural Perspective (Palgrave Macmillan 2023). He is co-author of a book about Screamfeeder’s Kitten Licks for Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 series (2024).
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Arron Poupard, ARM Architecture: Arron has always been captivated by how buildings are brought to life, with a deep passion for the intricate process of building design and execution. For Arron, architecture represents the perfect blend of creativity and problem-solving and at ARM Architecture, he thrives in an environment that constantly challenges the norm, where designs are never off-the-shelf, and every project pushes the boundaries of traditional construction techniques. Each day presents new challenges, and with a strong team culture, every challenge becomes an opportunity to innovate and learn.
