As they mark this 10th anniversary, the company is launching a bold, year-long program of events, artist residencies, and large-scale public works – each reinforcing their commitment to making art with impact.

“For ten years, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with extraordinary artists, community members, and organisations across the country,” said Executive Director Kate Baggerson.

From large-scale cathartic dance experiences at major festivals, to seniors performing loud and proud slam poetry; playful inter-generational radio stations; fierce roller-skating rock shows; anthemic pop soundtracks; visual-arts projects; and bespoke performance experiences in country halls, parks, in the streets, in aged-care, hospitals, and schools; Everybody NOW! has grown into a truly multi-disciplinary, award-winning arts organisation.

This milestone is not just a celebration of our past, but a launchpad into an exciting new chapter marked by our commitment to providing new and innovative ways for communities to access and participate in the arts, to tell their stories, ignite their creativity and come together through art.

EVERYBODY NOW!’s work is underpinned by research that highlights the arts as a catalyst for social cohesion, wellbeing, and improved mental and physical health.

“Over the years we’ve built a significant body of data that attests to the social value of participatory art-making in bonding and building experiences that support communities to develop relationships, connection, and improve wellbeing.

We have moved communities, we’ve generated joy and we’ve shared real people’s stories in powerful, playful and optimistic ways. As we move into our next decade, we believe this is a critical time for creating art in this way, to weather uncertain times and combat polarisation” says Kate.

The Company’s 2025 program embodies a spirit of hope, joy and belonging, bringing together diverse voices in a series of deeply engaging, community-driven arts projects.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

• International Collaborations – As a marker of their bold and bright future, Everybody NOW! are proud to embark on two new International, visual arts collaborations; ‘A Place to Belong’ with global design sensation Morag Myerscough (UK), and ‘Sky Ribbons’ with HOTA Home of the Arts as the Community Engagement partner.
• A year of Art Parties! – In a happy alignment with their own anniversary, Everybody NOW! have been commissioned to create birthday projects for 150 years of Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat Victoria, and 50 years of the Ipswich Civic Centre. Celebrating the vibrancy of community music these commissions bring together brass bands, choirs, concert musicians and musical theatre folks with beat-boxers, jazz players, First Nations artists, theremin’s, hip hop and pop for unlikely collaborators and memorable moments.
• Artist-In-Place – A new multi-year, place-centred residency program, embedding contemporary socially-engaged artists into neighbourhood and community centres on the Gold Coast.
• Creative and Connected – An artist-led workshop series carefully curated to generate social connection and wellbeing across visual arts, dance and writing.
• National Program – Continuing to grow their national reach Everybody NOW! will take their playful interactive families project Tin Can Radio, to Mackay, Adelaide and more destinations to be announced!

The 2025 program is a vibrant foundation for the future with new initiatives and relationships which allow us to reach more communities and create a pipeline of new Queensland work for years to come. The majority of our program will be primarily free or very low cost to participate in ensuring accessibility for all as it key to our values.

“We are proud of the profound impact our work has had on individuals and communities over the last ten years. We create ambitious, high-quality arts projects with real-world benefits, and as we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to deepening connections, amplifying new voices, and continuing to make art that matters,” said Everybody NOW!’s Chair, Donna Orazio

For more information on EVERYBODY NOW! visit www.everybodynow.com.au

Roller Coaster premiered on the Gold Coast in 2023 with the support of commissioning partners Bleach Festival and HOTA Home of the Arts, where Everybody NOW! are based as a resident ‘home’ company.

Created over two years, with over 70 free community creative workshops, performances and rehearsals, this innovative arts project brought together an award-winning artistic team, alongside hundreds of roller skaters from across South East Queensland.

The outcome was a fierce, tender and explosive production with humour, heart, and a propulsive live soundtrack based on real community stories exploring the roller coaster of contemporary life.

Roller Coaster Co-Artistic Directors Kate Baggerson, Ian Pidd and Bec Reid said, “We are delighted to win this award! We believe that participatory art-making and community storytelling can make significant positive impacts in our communities. This award attest to just that. We’re really proud that Roller Coaster as well as being a great artistic outcome has supported communities to build friendships, feel connected, listened to and improve their overall wellbeing.

To have the production supported, created and premiered on the Gold Coast, and then recognised by PAC Australia and our peers is really exciting for our organisation and for the future of the production to be created again with skating communities right across Australia.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says, “The Gold Coast’s arts and culture credentials continue to grow, and winning awards at a national level is due recognition for our growing creative community. Congratulations to Everybody NOW!, and may you continue to make an important impact in the community for many years to come.”

Local park skater Lucy Millar reflected on the impact Roller Coaster has had on her saying, “Everybody NOW created a place where everyone was welcome; where stories were welcome and people’s voices were heard. To see those stories turn into something creative was just amazing.”

Commissioning partner’s Experience Gold Coasts’, Head of Arts and Culture, Yarmila Alfonzetti said, “Roller Coaster is a shining example of how art can bring people together, creating meaningful connections and shared experiences. The PAC Australia Impact Award highlights the significant contribution of Everybody NOW! in fostering community spirit and engagement. We are so proud to have supported this production through HOTA Home of The Arts and Bleach Festival that has undoubtedly inspired our community with lasting impacts.”

The legacy and impacts of Roller Coaster continue with Everybody NOW! publishing a full Impact Report and Research paper documenting the projects outcomes in the community as well as recently filming a music video clip to a hero track from the show ‘Gonna Fit’.

Roller Coaster is a production by Everybody NOW! commissioned by BLEACH* Festival and HOTA Home of the Arts, with support from: the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative; the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy; the City of Gold Coast, Community Bank Tugun, Cocobella and Chuffed Skates.
www.everybodynow.com.au