We’re seeking artistic and community partners to work with us to create a Gold Coast that is … Creative, and Connected!
We know that participating in the arts improves wellbeing, and supports stronger, healthier, more socially connected communities. We want arts and creativity to be a part of daily life for all Gold Coasters. This means generating more opportunities to participate, in more places, more regularly.
Launched in 2024, Creative and Connected has delivered arts and health activities across the Gold Coast during Queensland Mental Health Week, R U OK Day, School Holidays, and Seniors Month.
Creative and Connected is a diverse, free or low-cost, artist-led workshop program with deliberate health, wellbeing and social cohesion goals. This program invites communities to learn new skills, ignite their creativity, and discover the power of art to calm and connect.
Next Phase
We’re seeking partnerships across the community to extend and grow the Creative and Connected program.
Do you have an idea for a creative workshop or series that supports positive wellbeing or brings people together? Or perhaps you are already delivering an artistic activity in the community which could benefit from shared marketing and partnership.
Activities may span across creative disciplines and are designed to be accessible, inclusive and beneficial to improving health, wellbeing and social connection.
Below you’ll see information on our three Partnership Models.
Through these partnerships we aim to:
- Increase the volume of artistic and creative participation opportunities.
- Support capacity building for artists and organisations to develop and deliver high-quality arts-based activities.
- Create visibility and advocacy for the arts as vital to community wellbeing and liveable cities.
- Create a collegiate network of practitioners passionate about arts, wellbeing and social connection.
- Generate opportunities for the integration of creative activities and artistic practices across sectors and spaces in our community.
Partnerships Models
Option 1: Curated Program
A curated program led by Everybody NOW! with fees paid to local artists to deliver free or low-cost activities within the Creative and Connected Program.
Option 2: Program Partners
Organisations, artists or small businesses can partner with us to deliver their own, new or existing activities, within the Creative and Connected Program.
- Partners cover their own delivery costs including Artist fees
- Partners retain their own income from attendance sales (at an agreed accessible ticket price).
- Everybody NOW! provides Creative and Connected brand integration and supports Marketing and Promotion including website listings, printed signage and digital brand assets.
- Everybody NOW! covers the booking (and cost) of venues
- Everybody NOW! provides producing support such as booking logistics, workshop preparation, risk management, ticketing and general mentoring and advice.
- Partners are invited to a peer-to-peer learning opportunity to extend and/ or deepen skills in community facilitation, arts and wellbeing.
Option 3: Community Partners
This is for organisations, artists or small businesses who are looking for extra promotional support to deliver their own, new or existing activities, umbrellaed within the Creative and Connected Program.
- Community Partners cover all their own costs.
- Everybody NOW! provides Marketing support with listings within the Creative and Connected Program.
- Partners are invited to a peer-to-peer learning opportunity to extend and/ or deepen skills in community facilitation, arts and wellbeing.
Interested?! We’d love to hear from you
Complete this Expression of Interest form or Contact us at info@everybodynow.com.au
Program Participation Requirements
To make sure Creative and Connected activities are safe, welcoming, and inclusive we ask that all partners hold;
- Public liability insurance (minimum $20 million)
- Relevant qualifications and experience in your practice
- A Blue Card if your activity involves participants under 18
- First Aid Certificate for any high risk and physical activities
- A Risk & Inclusion Plan (Template provided by Everybody NOW!)
We ask that all activities are:
- Welcoming to a diversity of skill levels, ages and backgrounds
- Facilitated with care and professionalism
- In alignment with Creative and Connected’s wellbeing and social connection goals
- Community-focused and connected to people and place
- Centre arts and creativity
- Affordable and inclusive
Why Get Involved?
- Increased visibility and reach
- Producing support
- Connection to a network of practitioners
- Alignment with the program’s goals
- Contribute to shared advocacy and impact building
When & How
We’re looking for activities to join our Summer 2026 (Oct – Dec) and Autumn 2027 (March – May) Program.
Partners are selected to reflect a diversity and mix of artists and artforms, locations city-wide and alignment with the goals and objectives of the Program.
What kinds of activities might be part of Creative and Connected?
Creative and Connected embraces a wide and ever-evolving range of artist-led experiences. Activities span across creative disciplines and are designed to be accessible, inclusive and beneficial to improving health, wellbeing and social connection.
- Movement – Body-based movement, dance, street dance, circus, mindful movement, and embodied experiences for all ages and abilities.
- Visual Arts & Making – Drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, photography, ceramics, basket weaving, and mixed media from beginners to seasoned makers.
- Textile & Slow Arts – Weaving, stitching, upcycling and textile arts that invite you to slow down, connect and create with your hands.
- Culture & Community – First Nations and CALD – painting, cultural exchange, sound healing, music, and intercultural creative experiences celebrating the diversity of our community.
- Words, Stories & Song – Poetry, journaling, songwriting, film and storytelling workshops that give voice to your experiences and imagination.
- Nature-Based Art – Artmaking inspired by the natural world, encouraging creativity, connection, mindfulness and wellbeing through outdoor creative experiences.
Activities may align with events such as Queensland Mental Health Week, School Holidays and Seniors Month, Youth Week, Multicultural Queensland Month, Loneliness Awareness Week Australia etc.
Let us know that you’re interested in this program by emailing info@everybodynow.com.au or complete this Expression of Interest form.
