Ruth Hodgman

1. Can you tell us what you were doing before you joined the Judith Wright Centre?

Prior to the Judith Wright Centre, I was Programming Manager at the largest regional venue in Australia, the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba.
My experience there also included management of the Marketing and Development Departments and liaison with the Empire Theatres Foundation, which supports the development of performance skills for young people and awards bursaries to emerging artists.

In venues, I've also worked at Mackay Entertainment Centre and QUT's Gardens Theatre and coordinated regional touring in Queensland and the Northern Territory for the Northern Australian Reginal Performing Arts Association. My experience is not only in the performing arts. My career began in media on-air for ABC radio before I moved into television as a director/producer.

2. What is your vision for JWCOCA and how do you see its role changing in the coming years?

The plan is to position JWCoCA at the heart of creative thinking and experimentation in various art forms and provide support for the creation of new and edgy contemporary arts practice.

Having resident companies within the building provides some unique opportunities for exciting collaborations. The Centre will support new creative development and emerging artists and encourage a learning environment with professional development activities.

The Centre's atmosphere will be fertile for the generation of ideas and will foster energy in creating experiences in the arts that engage and excite our audiences.

3. What's the biggest challenge for JWCOCA and how are you going to meet it?

JWCoCA is at an exciting point in its development. We are working on changes to how we engage with both established producers and emerging artists to provide greater support. The ideas are big and potential is great but the challenge is work effectively and efficiently within the available resources and budget. With our current tough economic environment, it is important that we play our part in creating professional opportunities for Queensland artists and that we continue to develop our audiences visiting the Centre.

4. What, in your mind, makes JWCOCA such a unique venue and arts centre?

The Centre is a unique combination of a presenting and producing venue as well as a support mechanism to assist the development of some of Queensland's most exciting S2m companies and emerging artists. It is a creative hub that can become known both the work created by its resident companies as well as the new and exciting national and international artists that tour to the venue.

5. What's the best part of your job at JWCOCA?

It is so rewarding to see new work develop from a raw idea through its creative development and then see it performed live on stage.

6. And the worst?

So far (touch wood), there have been few bad days. I think it is very important to keep the glass half full and actively work towards positive changes that will benefit all of the Centre's stakeholders.

7. There's some exciting shows coming up at JWCOCA - can we put you on the spot and ask for your recommendation?

There's nothing that pleases me more that to help in promoting performances at the Centre. For the details, its always best to sign up on our website for either the monthly enewsletter or our What's On brochure.

In May, Victoria's Sunwrae Ensemble (22 May) brings a dynamic performance of cinematic music and Miguel (30 May), billed as "sexier than gold lame and hotter than LA in August, present a ground breaking cabaret.

In June we welcome screen culture with the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour (2-4 June) and Warren Miller's Children of winter (18-20 June).
As part of the Brisbane Pride Festival, the Judith Wright Centre will present a deliciously wicked Homoneurotic Cabaret (5 June) and host the Festival's community awards (6 June)

The Centre is thrilled to present Dublin band Grada (11 June) presenting their unique nu-folk arrangements of traditional folk music and contemporary originals. In July, you can hear the raw blues roots of Australian legend, Diesel.

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