The research team gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the following people and
organisations for providing the information and insights that made this report possible:
Marina Baker, Gallery Officer, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery
Ross Barden, ‘Volunteer Management’ Geraldton Cultural Trust
Jane Barndon, Artist
Fred Block, City of Greater Geraldton
Julian Canny, ‘Ringleader’/Producer, Euphorium Creative
Kim Canny, Majek Collective
Mark Canny, Majek Collective
Trudi Cornish, Manager Libraries, Heritage and Gallery, City of Greater Geraldton
Cam Fitzgerald, Artist
Paula Fletcher, Acting Coordinator Art Gallery and Cultural Development, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery
Dr Howard Gray, Marine Ecosystem Expert and Economic Historian
Minna Hilton, Associate Producer, Euphorium Creative
Lynda Howitt, Artist (lyndahowitt. The group was composed of two performing-arts practitioners, five visual artists, Chair of
the Geraldton Cultural Trust, a CGG representative with cultural responsibilities, and the manager and a staff
member from the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery.
Euphorium is a private company specializing in the performing arts, and operates several programs, including
Youth Academy, a program based on improvisational theater and personal development. The
Perth Fringe World Festival also featured some local acts. Another problem is that artists do not understand how to create coordinated and interconnected cultural tourism experiences or other types of events or festival platforms on a
scale, which ultimately allows artists to implement more sustainable activities. The report draws on socio-economic data1 compiled for the ‘creative hotspots’
included in this study, and all Australian local government areas – as well as desk research, and a small but
diverse sample of key informant interviews in Geraldton. However, we saw evidence of some disconnection
within the local arts and culture system, and the need for more joined-up facilitation.
There have been long and heated discussions about the closure of a decades-old community arts organization called the Geraldton Arts and Cultural Development Council (ACDC).
discusses the local politics surrounding it and the causes and effects of the closure. These include renovated buildings such as the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery and La Residencia.