We build stronger communities and better places through arts and culture. We create experiences and tell stories of place that are electrifying, authentic and uniquely Gold Coast.
Placemakers* Gold Coast is committed to the continued growth and development of the cultural ecology on the Gold Coast and throughout the state of QLD.
Our vision is to deliver extraordinary arts and cultural experiences, for our communities in our place.
Our purpose is to challenge expectations, change perceptions and provide unique and authentic experiences connected to place.
The organisation has played an integral role in the visibility of the Gold Coast arts and cultural sector at a local, state and national level, primarily through the delivery of BLEACH*: an annual contemporary festival of place that alchemises art, community, and site.
In its relatively short history, BLEACH* has become one of Australia’s leading and most exciting place-based contemporary arts festivals and has attracted close to 1 million people since inception.
Bleach* has played a pivotal role in terms of reinvigorating the cultural life of the Gold Coast and provided significant impact to and influence on the development of the arts and culture ecology in the south-east QLD region.
As one of the few producing companies and presentation platforms on the Gold Coast, Placemakers* and BLEACH* offer essential support and opportunities for the creation of new work, advocating for local artists and championing the sector more broadly with national and international peers.
We value community consultation and engagement. We do this for our own projects and can help our partners on their projects too.
The Placemakers* and BLEACH* team are committed to celebrating diversity on the Gold Coast and amplifying the voices of people we don’t often hear from in the mainstream media. The team are respectful in their communications and sensitive to cultural differences. We greatly value our relationship with Placemakers* and recognise the strength that comes from working together.
Rana Al-Mekarry, Multicultural Families Organisation
Starting as a sports journalist for Seven Network and working overseas for several years at BBC in London, Andrew Arthur is now the Chief of Staff for ABC Gold Coast. With a keen interest in business and business management, Andrew recently completed an MBA with Griffith University in 2016.
Aaron Lavell is a managing partner and founding member of WMS Chartered Accountants. He has over twenty years experience in the accounting industry after commencing his career at Ernst & Young.
Marion Charlton is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Gold Coast Airport after joining the company in 2004. Marion has strong ties with many Gold Coast tourism organisations through her past work on the Tourism Advisory Board for Bond University. In 2008 she was awarded the International Woman’s Day Leadership Award for the Gold Coast.
Peta Fielding is the CEO of Burleigh Brewing Co and Chair of the Craft Beer Association. Peta currently holds directorships with Gold Coast Tourism and is newly appointed as a board member of Major Events Gold Coast.
A passionate advocate and contributor to both the Gold Coast and Queensland, she serves on a number of key Gold Coast boards including Griffith University Institute of Glycomics Board of Advice, the Gold Coast Community Fund and Vinnies CEO Sleep Out board as a Founding Ambassador.
Karen’s background spans 28 years of extensive commercial, corporate communications strategy, media and community experience. She was honoured as Gold Coast Citizen of the Year 2018 for her service to the city.