Home of the Arts, Gold Coast

The land on which HOTA is situated (known as Evandale) was occupied by a thriving Aboriginal community, later (1860s) being settled by European farmers. The City of Gold Coast bought the land in the 1960, and the Evandale Civic and Cultural Centre, designed by local architect Alan Griffith, was opened in 1976. HOTA was first named the Keith Hunt Community Entertainment and Arts Centre. It was officially opened in December 1986, owned and managed by the council, and was renamed the Gold Coast Arts Centre, The HOTA project Delivery of the A$37.5 million Outdoor Stage marked the completion of Stage 1a of the Masterplan. Stage 1b was the construction of a new bridge to Chevron Island, which improved connectivity to Surfers Paradise. The A$19.5 million bridge crosses between the parklands and a vacant lot on Stanhill Drive, Chevron Island, and was officially opened in early 2020. The A$60.5m HOTA Gallery (Stage 1b of the project) opened on 8 May 2021. ==Functions and venues==

HOTA presents live music, theatre, dance, comedy, opera, children's shows, art, and cinema. It is surrounded by Evandale Parklands and Evandale lake. The HOTA precinct is the centrepiece of the City of Gold Coast Council’s Gold Coast Cultural Precinct masterplan. Home of the Arts includes a number of venues: • Outdoor Stage • HOTA Gallery (opened on 8 May 2021) • Panorama Room • Lakeside Room • Basement • Various function rooms and spaces • HOTA Cafe • Sculpture Walk • St. Margaret's Chapel, a non-denominational historic chapel that holds weddings and other receptions. • Adventure Trail (climb over the Outdoor Stage) • Lake • HOPO Ferry stop • Bridge connecting HOTA to Chevron Island / Surfers Paradise • Palette, a fine dining restaurant HOTA Gallery The HOTA Gallery, designed by ARM Architecture, houses the A$32 million City Collection, and comprises over of exhibition space over six levels, including: The outdoor stage is surrounded by parklands and a lake, with views to the Surfers Paradise skyline. The structure is framed by a 100-tonne self-supporting screen that protects performers from sun and glare. The stage is wide from wall-to-wall and high (from stage to stage forecourt), and includes a 5.5 tonne bi-fold proscenium door. In November 2024, Kid Laroi set a new attendance record when he performed at the HOTA Outdoor Stage to a sold-out 4,300 crowd in the first leg of his Australian tour. == Future stages ==

In 2024, City of Gold Coast announced plans to build an 1800-seat lyric theatre within the HOTA precinct to accommodate for 200 new performances a year including musicals, ballet, opera, live music and comedy. ==See also==