R|7.0 launches the next wave of creative leaders
Each year, the Creative Business Incubator Showcase event is a highlight of the Coast’s cultural calendar and this year was no exception. Marking the culmination of the 10-week intensive program, this special event brought together creative and business communities as the next wave of creative leaders took to the stage pitching their ventures and aspirations to a live audience at The Events Centre, Caloundra.
The R|7.0 program continues to provide confidence, skills development and industry networks that enable creative practitioners to take their businesses to the next level. This year’s cohort of creatives now take their place amongst an alumni totalling 95 creative businesses.
Upon arrival, guests milled in the foyer of The Events Centre, entertained by the soulful live performance of Layla Havana, before settling into their seats in the Playhouse Theatre for an evening hosted by MC, Naomi Price, celebrated stage performer, singer and Artistic Director of The Little Red Company.
Formal proceedings began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country from Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) Traditional Custodian, Elder and Creative, Aunty Helena Gulash, followed by an inspiring address from Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, setting the tone for a night that celebrated courage, creativity and community.
The R|7.0 cohort then took the stage one at a time to deliver a three-minute pitch and accompanying slides that shared the heart of their enterprise, their personal stories and the passions driving their practice, finishing with a strong call to action as to what is needed to take their next steps to realise their vision. Boldly, each participant stepped into the spotlight, equally nervous and excited, held by the presence of a supportive audience of family, friends, industry leaders and each other, delivering pitches with confidence, emotion and the upmost professionalism. We then welcomed Deb Caruso to the stage to present one of our participants, Ro Clark, with a marketing mentorship through SCCA’s partnership with In Publishing.
The road from Bootcamp to Showcase for each participant is a transformative journey. Guided with the expertise of Dr Hayley Linthwaite, Liz Burcham and the long list of speakers, presenters and mentors who are invited into the program, each participant refines and tests their ideas, develops business plans and skills to support the sustainability of their venture and steps into the spotlight with absolute self belief and conviction.
Showcase is an event that captures the very essence of The Refinery’s vision - it is a program that builds skills and capacity, creates a safe space for ideas to grow and be tested, embraces risks and experimentation, and fosters confidence and self- belief. These qualities carry beyond the room; armed with resilience, innovation and ambition, this year’s cohort now step confidently into the region’s creative sector as it’s next wave of leaders.
Photos by Cynthia Lee.
The R|7.O Cohort:
Ro Clark: Ro Clark Art
Spencer Davids: Tiny Mountains
Mia Gimenez: Gimenez Voice Academy
Kerrie Harth: Kerrie Harth Creative
Georgia Haupt: G Docs
Sara Ingram: Sara Ingram Art
Edde Masson: Grapevine Collective
Mary McGilvray: Mary McGilvray Photography
Jenny Wynter: Jenny Wynter
R|7.0 is delivered as part of The Refinery, SCCA’s platform of professional development programs designed to support creative practitioners working at the intersection of art, technology, environment and design.
Supported by Major Partners: the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Sunshine Coast Council through the Regional Arts Development Fund, and the Creative Ecologies Research Cluster at UniSC, Program Partner: The Events Centre, and Media Partners: In Publishing (Hello Sunshine Magazine and IN Noosa Magazine).
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