2015-09-15 Infrastructure and Services Committee Att 2 to Item 4 The J Service Review 2014-15

                                                                                    Service Review 2014-15
                                                                                                                           The J


Attachment F – Noosa Long Weekend Feedback
From: President [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, 20 January 2015 2:39 PM
To: Alan (Fox) Rogers
Cc: Scott Braby
Subject: Review of the J
Importance: High

Dear Fox,

Despite all my good intentions prior to Christmas, I was not able to devote the time required to put in a detailed submission as
part of your review of the J. For this I sincerely apologise and as time has marched on, it is probably no longer appropriate.

However, I would like to make a few points which I am sure you have already considered and taken on board, as a fall back to
a full submission:

           We would welcome an upgrade of the J physical space to:
                o     Seat at least 400
                o     Provide a much better foyer area and entry to the theatre with more space for access to the bar
                o     Improve the signage outside to conform to more modern approach that would allow banners to be
                      displayed and even digital projections on the building itself
                o     Change the look of the entry
                o     Enlarge the stage area and backstage (redesign with people who have expertise in this area)
                o     Remove the bus stop outside and revert to a drop off area to help increase patronage
           We would also welcome a new model for the management and staffing of the J that removes the strictures of a local
            government award and encourages further entrepreneurship
                o     In today’s competitive arts and events market it is no longer enough to run a facility, the top management
                      must drive a different vision that builds on the best ideas and successful business models popping up
                      elsewhere in Australia and overseas for theatre space
                o     Staff need the support to be highly customer focussed and flexible in their approach – the best
                      experiences with the J staff are always the ones where this comes to the forefront
                o     A board with significant expertise in the arts and business who oversights the management would enhance
                      capability
                o     There would be opportunities to go for other forms of funding with a different business model separate from
                      Council
           Other ideas for exploration could include:
                o     Beefing up conference capacity
                o     Being the centre focus for a concept such as a Noosa Institute


These have been prepared in some haste and if other ideas are first and foremost in the minds of our Management Committee,
I will pass these on


Regards

Johanne
Johanne Wright
President
Noosa Long Weekend Festival




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