Community Heart in Lilydale Design Framework
Williams Ross Architects in association with Rob Gebert Arts Consultancy, TRACT and K2 Planning.
Undertook initial two stages of development of the CHIL project. Stage one was an options study into the proposed Integrated Community Facilities to develop a programmatic brief for new community facilities in Lilydale. Stage two was development of the CHIL Design Framework across the proposed site and an initial business case for the cultural and community services facilities.
RGAC focused on the arts and cultural elements of the project including performing arts, visual arts, community arts and creative industries facilities. The findings regarding arts and culture facilities formed part of the overall community facilities and informed the programmatic brief. The Consultant led community and stakeholder consultation, undertook benchmarking of facilities in Yarra Ranges and adjoining LGAs and identified a range of facilities required to create an arts precinct to service the needs of the Lilydale community. In stage two developed an initial business case including strategic analysis, a needs analysis and operational modelling including governance, staffing and financial projections.
Proposed CHIL Precinct
Bairnsdale Arts Precinct Feasibility Study
Williams Ross Architects in association with Rob Gebert Arts Consultancy, Urban Fold and REMPLAN.
Undertook a Feasibility Study for the Bairnsdale Arts Precinct project which seeks to transform Bairnsdale’s central business district and strengthen the vibrant local arts, creative and cultural sector. The study considered options for a wide range of facilities including theatre, gallery, creative spaces and the public realm. The study included an indicative Cost Plan and Economic Impact Analysis. Rob Gebert Arts Consultancy focused on stakeholder consultation, development of a Needs Analysis, input to the development of facilities projects proposed for inclusion in the precinct and operational modelling for new events.
Bairnsdale Regional Art Gallery
Entertainment Venues Review and Strategy Report - Central Highlands Regional Council (Queensland)
Rob Gebert Arts Consultancy in association with Setting Line Theatre Consulting.
Undertook a review of Council's entertainment and cultural venues across the region to consider their potential future use, management models and necessary capital, maintenance and operational investment. Venue audits were undertaken of the four major cultural and civic venues. The review included how these venues could be most effectively used to increase the cultural and entertainment experiences across the region, how Council could work in the most effective ways to achieve increased use and what actions are recommended to achieve this. Analysis included needs analysis, indicative capital investment, development of management and programming models and recommendations for staffing structure.
Emerald Town Hall
Mornington Peninsula PAC Needs Analysis & Feasibility Assessment Project
Williams Ross Architects in association with Rob Gebert Arts Consultancy, Setting Line Theatre Consulting and TRACT.
Undertook an initial study into the options for provision of cultural facilities for Mornington Peninsula Shire. The study included a Needs Analysis, identification of the type of facilities required, high level cost planning and identification of preferred locations. RGAC focused on the Needs Analysis and identification of the type of facilities required. The Consultant led stakeholder consultation, undertook benchmarking of facilities in SE Melbourne and undertook demographic, social and economic analysis. Market analysis of potential demand was undertaken. The preferred size, type and scale of facilities required were identified and input provided to the Consultant team.
Proposed Site Layout
NeXT Practice in Arts Facility Provision Study - Footscray
Rob Gebert Arts Consultancy and Setting Line Theatre Consulting.
Maribyrnong City Council is developing NeXT: a $129 million community facility, surrounded by community open space in central Footscray. The facility includes a library, theatre, gallery and community facilities. The consultants undertook a study into best practice in arts centre design and operation with a specific community consultation with potential users of the future spaces.
The project included benchmarking of performing arts centres, theatres and integrated cultural precincts around Australia, identification of infrastructure needs for the NeXT performing and visual arts facilities, consultation workshops with user groups and stakeholders and identification of appropriate business models and undertaking of business and financial modelling.
NeXT Concept Image
Torquay Cultural Facilities Concept Design and Business Case
Williams Ross Architects in association with Rob Gebert Arts Consultancy, TRACT and REMPLAN.
Undertook a concept design and business case to replace the existing Torquay Library, Australian National Surfing Museum and Visitor Information Centre with an expanded cultural precinct as part of the Surf City precinct. The project includes an expanded Torquay Library, expanded Museum, upgraded Visitor Information centre and a new Studio Theatre and Visual Arts space. The Consultant has led community and stakeholder consultation, development of a Needs Analysis, options for business models, business and financial modelling, analysis of economic and social impact, options for government funding and development of the Business Case.
Torquay Cultural Facilities Concept
Tamworth Performing Arts Centre and Cultural Precinct
Williams Ross Architects in association with Rob Gebert Arts Consultancy, Setting Line Theatre Consulting and Wilde & Woollard.
Undertook the Concept Design and Business Case for the development of a new Performing Arts Centre and the establishment of a Cultural Precinct in Peel Street, Tamworth. The facility is proposed to include a large proscenium arch theatre, studio theatre, music salon, functions rooms, rehearsal spaces and accommodation for other arts and media organisations. The Business Case includes community consultation, a Needs Analysis, identification of optimal seating capacity, options for business models, business and financial modelling, analysis of economic and social impact and options for government funding.
Tamworth Cultural Precinct Concept
City of Stonnington - Prahran Town Hall Upgrade
Rob prepared a Needs Analysis and developed Financial Modelling for the operating costs for the upgraded facilities.
The City of Stonnington is planning for an upgrade of the Prahran Town Hall precinct of important heritage buildings to provide community facilities including a new library, performance and community spaces.
Prahran Town Hall
Duck For Cover - Strategic Plan
Rob undertook the development of a Strategic Plan for the Duck For Cover Entertainers Group including facilitation of workshops, stakeholder consultation, environmental scan, SWOT analysis, strategies, action plan, staffing structure and financial modelling.
Duck For Cover is a co-operative organisation enabling the provision of affordable insurance for artists and entertainers throughout Australia.
Horsham Rural City Council - Horsham Town Hall Operational Review
Rob undertook an operational review at the conclusion of the first year of operation of the upgraded and expanded Horsham Town Hall. The review involved analysis of data and stakeholder consultation. The outcomes included recommendations for changes in staffing structure, venue pricing and for operational improvements.
Horsham Town Hall New Theatre Building
University of Melbourne - Arts and Cultural Facilities Review
Rob collaborated with Williams Ross Architects on a review of arts and cultural facilities on the University of Melbourne Parkville Campus. In particular, Rob undertook an operational review of current services, stakerholder consultation , an analysis of current and future demand for services and developed recommendations for future management of facilities.
Union Theatre, University of Melbourne
Latrobe City - Latrobe Creative Precinct
Funding of $10m has been secured from Regional Development Victoria and $10m from the Commonwealth Government..
Rob led the development of funding applications to the Victorian and Federal Governments. Latrobe City are awaiting results of the Federal funding application.
A major $30m redevelopment initiative to transform the existing Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon into the Latrobe Creative Precinct incorporating state of the art theatre spaces with facilities to support learning, vocational training, creative development, digital arts and community engagement activities.
Existing Latrobe Performing Arts Centre
Maroondah City Council - Karralyka Centre
Rob was Lead Consultant for the Karralyka Operational Review and Redevelopment Feasibility Study in association with Williams Ross Architects.
The study included a Theatre and Function venue business evaluation to determine management and business development priorities for Karralyka. An audit of the facilities contributed to the development of a Facilities Master Plan with a range of options identified for future capital development. Detailed business planning is being undertaken to support decision making regarding the future of the facilities.
Karralyka Centre
City of Brimbank - Errington Performing Arts Facility
A review of business planning for the proposed Errington Performing Arts Facility, which combines performance, community and education facilities in a re-development of the existing Community Centre in St Albans. The focus of the review included governance models, development of operational budgets and analysis of options for ticketing and event management systems. The business planning has been adopted by Council in preparation for the opening of the new facilities in 2016.
Artists Impression Errington Performing Arts Facility, St Albans
University of Melbourne - Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music
In 2014 Rob undertook a major Program Evaluation for the University of Melbourne into the outcomes achieved by the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music through a funding program from the Victorian Government of $24m over 4 years. This project gathered data through desk top research, online surveys, interviews and focus groups. Analysis included evaluation of the quantitative and qualitative outcomes achieved and an assessment of the value of outcomes from the investment. Recommendations were made regarding options for the structure and operation of the program in the future. The Program Evaluation has been a key element in the consideration of future funding from the Victorian Government.
In 2017 Rob undertook the final Progrma Evaluation on the completion of the funding program.
Elisabeth Murdoch Building, Victorian College of the Arts Photographer Fred Koh, 2010
Creative Projects
The New Black - The Follies Company
The New Black is a new music theatre work written by Deadly Award winner Marcus Corowa, Leeroy Bilney and Stephen Lloyd Helper. The New Black is a new work of love and death and reconciliation in a ground breaking cross cultural production with 21st century staging but a story as old as time.
Jim Kokatha is an ambitious Aboriginal lawyer on the rise at a Brisbane firm. When his Aunty expects him to represent her at an inquest back home in SA, Jim is caught between his professional aspirations and his family responsibilities. With truth and heart, The New Black is a passionate, entertaining statement of reconciliation.
The World Premiere of The New Black was at The Arts Centre Gold Coast on 13 and 14 May 2015. The project featured as part of the APACA Conference PAX forum in Sydney in August 2015. Planning is underway for a national tour in 2017 and 2018.
Leeroy Bilney & William Zappa
Lynette Narkle, Ernie Dingo, Elaine Crombie & Leonard Donahue
Victorian Seniors Festival Radio Reimagined Project
Producer for the creation of a range of online radio programs in 2020 and 2021 during COVID19. Programs were distributed through the community radio network in Victoria and nationally. Oversaw artistic programming, supervised the production team and engaged professional artists and community groups.
