
Wed 26 Aug - Sun 8 Nov
UNLEASHED+
Exhibitions
Presented by artisan. Supported by HOTA, Home of the Arts and Experience Gold Coast.
Welcome to HOTA Gallery – the home of contemporary art on the Gold Coast. Situated on the vibrant HOTA precinct, the Gallery comprises five state-of-the-art exhibition spaces, collection storage, studio, dining and retail.

Hop, skip and jump into a collage of wonder in our new Children’s Gallery exhibition Minna Gilligan: True Colours. As a collector and curator of images, artist Minna Gilligan crafts colourful worlds that evoke joy-filled nostalgia. True Colours draws on memories of childhood and a retro aesthetic to create a playground of colour and imagination. Adults, teens and children alike can follow the rainbow to a fun-filled experience packed with games and activities designed to unlock creativity and build connections across generations.

Wed 26 Aug - Sun 8 Nov
Exhibitions
Presented by artisan. Supported by HOTA, Home of the Arts and Experience Gold Coast.

Sat 17 Oct - Fri 5 Feb
Exhibitions
Energies is an annual exhibition showcasing the exceptional creative talents of senior secondary students on the Gold Coast. For nearly forty years, this prestigious exhibition has provided emerging artists with a professional platform to present their work, empowering students to pursue careers in the arts. Energies is a celebration of the creativity of our young people shaping the artistic future of the region. 2026 Submissions are now closed.

The beloved Children’s Gallery is a place of inspiration, discovery and connection, where children and families begin, and continue, their journey with art.

Held every three years, the HOTA Triennial reveals the depth and dynamism of the Gold Coast’s creative community and places it in dialogue with broader regional, national and antipodean trends.

Energies is an annual exhibition showcasing the exceptional creative talents of senior secondary students on the Gold Coast.

HOTA, Home of Arts is proud to announce the return of the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award in 2026. As Queensland’s richest acquisitive photographic prize, the $25,000 award and exhibition platforms artists from across the country working within the broad field of contemporary photography. Previous winners include Polly Borland, Merilyn Fairskye, Shaun Gladwell, Polixeni Papapetrou, Darren Sylvester and Justine Varga. We invite submissions reflecting the traditional and expanded medium, including photocollage, sculpture, projection, installation and cameraless photography. This year’s finalists will be selected by a panel of esteemed judges including 2018 Award winner Tamara Dean, Director of UNSW Galleries José Da Silva and independent writer and curator Mikala Tai. Entries are open to all Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 18 years or over at the time of entry. How to Enter Access the digital entry form here: Entry Form Once started, you can save your progress by hitting "Save" and return to complete later. All entries are to be submitted by Mon 17 Aug, midnight. For enquiries or access support, please contact hotagallery@experiencegoldcoast.com Entry Fee To support participation, the entry fee has been reduced to $15 AUD. Mob Tix are available for $10 AUD. Mob Tix are a special allocation of tickets that allows First Nations peoples from both within and outside Australia access to a discounted rate to certain programs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from Australia are eligible, as well as Māori, Pasifika and First Nations people from other countries.

Held on the fourth Wednesday of every month, Sunroom offers adults who identify with disability a welcoming space for creative expression and exploration. No prior art making experience is necessary, only a willingness to engage your imagination!

Presented on the second Saturday of each month, ArtLab invites children aged 6–12 into hands-on making experiences led by our team of Artist Educators. Every session explores new techniques and materials inspired by HOTA’s evolving exhibition program.

Little ArtLab is a monthly workshop series for children aged 3–5, held on the third Friday of the month. Designed for playful experimentation and creative discovery, each session offers exhibition-responsive activities for little makers and their grown-ups to enjoy together.

Held from 9 am to 10 am on the first Saturday of each month, Quiet Hour offers a sensory-friendly environment for the relaxed enjoyment of our exhibitions.

Join us on the second Friday of each month for our free Art Explorers program – HOTA Gallery tours for little people with big imaginations. These playful sessions invite children and their adults to connect with art through movement and storytelling, encouraging curiosity, creativity and fun! Recommended for children aged 2-5.

Facilitated by award-winning writer Christine Betts, this series of creative writing workshops invites you to connect with exhibitions and works of art through a range of guided writing exercises. Take part in thought-provoking discussion in a safe space to fuel your creative writing dreams and get your words onto the page! Recommended for ages 16+.

Black Ink cultivates a safe and brave space for BIPOC creatives, celebrating the power of spoken word as a force for expression, connection, and community-building. Curated by poetry champion and community activist Huda Fadlelmawla, this series of live open mic poetry nights culminates in an end-of-year Grand Slam celebration. Each event features performances by established Black Ink poets alongside guided writing exercises and open mic sessions - creating a vibrant platform for new voices to emerge.

Join us for Drawing for Life – a creative drawing experience in a space where all abilities are welcomed. Each event sees leading artists and performers curate exhibition-responsive themes, props and poses for a distinctive life drawing experience. All drawing materials are provided.

HOTA Ideas is a forum for leading artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners to share perspectives through public lectures and in-conversation style talks.
Elevate your visit with a Private Gallery Tour.
Led by Artist Educators, this curated experience reveals the history, hidden stories, and must-know details behind the art in an exclusive small-group setting. Designed by the HOTA Curatorial team, tours can be tailored to any exhibition, artist, or work upon request.
Available for groups of 10+, $20 per person, running 45 minutes to 1 hour. A minimum of two weeks' notice is required, and additional charges may apply for entry to Major Exhibitions. We also ask that self-guided groups of 20 or more register.
Bring your classroom to HOTA. Curriculum linked programs, excursion, workshops, and resources. From early years through to senior and secondary...
17 hectares of art, nature, and life on the Gold Coast. A lakeside campus where galleries, theatres, outdoor stages, sculpture walks, dining, and green spaces come together.