Strategic Planning & Gallery Development

Nicole believes meaningful strategy starts with being present in the community. For the Keppel Coast project, she spent an intensive period on location, meeting directly with community arts groups, artists, local government and other stakeholders to understand the region from multiple perspectives. This face-to-face engagement created the opportunity to listen deeply, build relationships and understand not only what the community valued, but what was realistically achievable within the local context.

The engagement process was central to shaping a strategy that was grounded in the community rather than developed in isolation. By bringing together different perspectives and identifying common priorities, Nicole was able to translate community aspirations into a clear and practical strategic direction.

Importantly, the final product went beyond broad strategic goals. It drilled down into how those goals could actually be achieved. The strategy identified practical actions, potential funding opportunities, project timeframes and implementation priorities, providing a clear pathway from ideas and aspirations through to delivery.

This practical focus was critical to the long-term impact of the work. Over the following five years, the Keppel Coast went on to secure funding for multiple gallery spaces, creating important cultural infrastructure that has supported the local arts community while also contributing to regional development and cultural tourism.

In partnership with Keppel Coast Arts Council, Nicole also led the development of a strategic business plan for the operation of two newly funded gallery spaces. The process involved in-depth stakeholder engagement to co-create a practical, community-owned plan that reflected local needs, opportunities and aspirations.

The resulting business case supported the funding and development of the Emu Park Gallery and Fig Tree Gallery in Yeppoon, providing a strong operational and strategic foundation for their establishment.

For Nicole, this project demonstrates the value of combining deep community engagement with practical strategic planning. The result was not simply a strategy document, but a roadmap that helped turn community ambition into tangible cultural infrastructure and long-term regional impact.