REMIX Academy returns and it’s Reimagining Regional

More than 15 industry pioneers from around the world will come together on the Sunshine Coast to explore how arts and creative industries can shape our economy and why investing in these sectors is crucial for the success of regional towns and cities.

With speakers from the UKs iconic Eden Project, London’s Cultural Olympiad and USA’s Desert X in Coachella Valley, the globally-renowned REMIX Academy is returning to the Sunshine Coast during Horizon Festival for a special one-and-a-half-day summit at The Wharf, Mooloolaba on May 1 and 2.

Sunshine Coast Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said the summit was hosted by Sunshine Coast Council and Horizon and was the third time the event had been held in the region.

“I’m delighted to welcome REMIX back to our region following the stand-out success of the summit in previous years,” Cr Law said.

“As we prepare for how best to leverage opportunities such as the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, discussions like this, which seek to identify the trends that shape the future of our creative economy, could be transformative.

“Across the globe, regional cities are building new and innovative futures that are creative, independent and deeply rooted in their own local identities.

“These regional centres are capitalising on what makes them different — celebrating their regionality, not shying away from it and it’s critical that we do the same.”

Shaping our creative future

“As one of Australia’s fastest growing regional centres in Australia, the opportunities for creative practitioners and industries are growing exponentially,” Cr Law said.

“I encourage anyone involved in the future of culture and creativity on the Sunshine Coast to take advantage of the unique insights this event will offer.”

The summit will cover topics from creating destinations for cultural tourism, harnessing the collisions between nature, art and tech, audience and consumer trends, through to infrastructure and innovation ecosystems and more. 

Peter Tullin, co-founder of REMIX Summits said REMIX presented a unique model.

“Through REMIX, new ideas emerge and collaborations develop aided by the juxtaposition of visionaries from different worlds – real disruption occurs when you have senior innovators from the likes of Desert X, Eden Project and Moment Factory in the same room,” Mr Tullin said.

“This is ‘Remixing’ and it’s creating a whole new approach to innovation in the creative economy; the fastest growing industry sector around the globe.”  

Featuring 15+ speakers including: 

• Blair Parkin, Executive Director of the iconic Eden Project (UK) which has transformed Cornwall’s economy. 
• Jenny Gil, Executive Director of Desert X (USA), which activates desert locations across the Coachella Valley in California and has been experienced by close to 2 million people. 
• Ruth Mackenzie, Former Director, Cultural Olympiad (London 2012) and Program Director, Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Policy, SA Government. The London Games in 2012 had the largest cultural programme in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements, with more than 43 million participants.  
• Rhys Holden, CEO and Creative Director, Geelong Arts Centre, former GM MONA FOMA. 
• Jérôme de Baecque, Business Development, Moment Factory, named “Most Innovative Live Event Company" globally by Fast Company. 
• Thomas Mahon, Founder, MoPA (Museum of Play and Art), ‘One of the world’s best Children’s Museums’.
•  Plus a host of other local and national speakers.