New Chief Executive appointment for Gold Coast Cultural Precinct

As part of the next phase of development for the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct, the Board of The Arts Centre Gold Coast (which in due course will become the Board of the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct) has announced the creation of a new role, Chief Executive/Director, to be filled by Criena Gehrke.

Currently Executive Coordinator Arts and Culture for the City of Gold Coast, Gehrke is the author of the widely admired Gold Coast Culture Strategy 2023 and, over the last four years, she has built a dynamic and highly effective team for the Council’s Arts and Culture unit and created an extensive suite of programs and initiatives for artists living and working in the region.

Commenting on the appointment, The Arts Centre Gold Coast Chair Robyn Archer stated “the appointment panel was delighted with the enthusiasm so many respected cultural leaders demonstrated for the cultural precinct project and this role; even more delighted that a rigoursly competitive selection process has resulted in the appointment of someone with lively and current local knowledge and experience.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate added “Criena has been a breath of fresh air for the arts and culture community across our city. Her passion and drive is obvious from the time you meet her and she has a real belief in the direction of the arts and culture movement for the Gold Coast.

“I look forward to seeing her shine in this new role.”

The new role of Chief Executive/Director encompasses the provision of leadership not only for the continuing successful life of the Arts Centre, but also its gradual transformation into the cultural precinct. The precinct promises a much broader visitor experience with the spectacular new outdoor space (currently under construction), landscaped gardens, and a new Gallery (currently in concept design phase), adding to existing theatre, cinema and function activities.

Gehrke has welcomed the new challenges of the role, concluding “the Gold Coast really is the land of opportunity – our local artists are becoming nationally recognised, residents and visitors are experiencing more great arts and culture than ever before, and there is substantial investment being made by local government in artists and infrastructure.

“The Arts Centre Gold Coast has been a cornerstone of the arts on the Gold Coast, supporting local talent and bringing some of the best national and international arts experiences to the city. The opportunity to be involved in growing this already great organisation into the cultural heartland of the Coast is a rare privilege.”

She will start in the role on 20th February 2017.

Images: Criena Gehrke, newly appointed Chief Executive/Director of The Arts Centre Gold Coast (top) and The Arts Centre Gold Coast (below).

6th December 2016 - ARTS CENTRE GOLD COAST MARKS 30 YEARS

21st October 2015 - AMPHITHEATRE TO BE CENTREPIECE OF NEW GOLD COAST CULTURAL PRECINCT

7th March 2015 - FIRST STAGE OF GOLD COAST CULTURAL PRECINCT AIMS FOR 2018 COMPLETION 

28th August 2014 - $1.2 MILLION PLAN TO DEVELOP GOLD COAST CULTURE

26th June 2014 - GOLD COAST CULTURAL PRECINCT MOVES FORWARD