2015-12-08 I&S Committee - Item 7 - Attach 1 - THE J BUSINESS PLAN

Our Business
The J is Noosa’s premier community and performance venue, providing meeting and
performance spaces, theatre/ auditorium, commercial kitchen and break out spaces. It
incorporates facilities purpose built for lease to the University of the Sunshine Coast and
Noosa Community Radio.
The J was established in 2006 with a broad brief, as a multi-purpose youth, community and
arts space. A lack of Council funding for youth, community or cultural programming has
seen the venue increasingly focus on its role as a community venue for hire and a
performance venue.



Market position
The J began life as a hybrid youth, community and cultural centre, with funding from a
number of sources and a high level of community involvement.

Over time, The J has evolved into a broader community and cultural facility, with the
emphasis on youth outcomes reducing because of:

        restrictions to operational funding for youth development programs
        provision of alternative facilities, activities and venues by organisations such as
         United Synergies and Edmund Rice
        unsuitability of the venue for youth drop-in or low-cost activities
        increase in availability of facilities on school sites through the Building the
         Education Revolution hall funding program.

The J continues to be the venue for activities for a youth audience, such as school
performances, Blue Light discos and school holiday programs – approximately 13% of venue
hire hours are for events catering to children and young people. However these are
delivered by external agencies rather than initiated by Council or The J.

Positioning Action:
        Articulate The J’s position clearly to community and Council audiences, to
         reinforce its role as a multi-purpose community and cultural space.




The J Business Plan 2015-2018                                                                  17