Generate GC supports Gold Coast artists to generate art and ideas within the community and place. The program supports creatives across art forms, to push boundaries and to take creative risks. Participants join a cohort of local creatives, connect with established artists, and get support to expand their artistic practice and networks.

The program is made for artists who seek to develop their creative acumen with the core focus of the program being mentorship, ideation, testing and development. Artists are supported to produce projects that are conceptually strong with high production values, and which can respond to a variety of sites, audiences, and economies.

The program provides pathways and links to local and national arts and non-arts partnerships, collaborations, and presentation platforms. Generate GC is committed to working with and learning from First Nations artists and their communities, and with culturally diverse artists and artists with disabilities.

The first iteration known as Generate was developed in consultation with the Creative Leads for the GC2018 Arts and Cultural Program, Bleach* Festival, and the Office for Commonwealth Games. It was co-funded by City of Gold Coast and Office of the Commonwealth Games and resulted in partnerships with six local arts organisations to present 8 local productions in Festival 2018 for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. 

Following Festival 2018, the program became Generate GC. The 2019 and 2021 iterations of were directed by Executive Producer Emma Porteus under the national Situate Art in Festivals banner through Salamanca Arts Centre and then Tasdance, in Tasmania. Emma has been the driving force behind the program's success since 2019, including designing the strategy and delivery of Generate GC for the City of Gold Coast across the triennium.

Generate GC continues to stay true to its original vision by supporting local creatives to generate and exchange ideas across art forms and to act as a 100 percent Gold Coast creative platform for the development of new and ambitious work. It contributes to the transformation of local arts and culture through the provision of professional development and presentation opportunities for Gold Coast artists, while simultaneously supporting the Gold Coast’s burgeoning reputation as a home for vibrant contemporary art and creative opportunity.  

From midway through 2024 the Generate GC program operates as a wholly City of Gold Coast initiative through the Arts and Culture Unit with local artist Rebecca Ross taking the lead from Emma Porteus as Program Producer. Rebecca worked as a Provocateur and Associate Producer on the Generate GC program before taking up the role of Program Producer in 2023. Rebecca also produced Next Gen GC in 2022 and 2024, a youth program akin to Generate GC, aimed at 18-25 year olds working in any art form on the Gold Coast.