Mariam Arcilla is a Gold Coast based cultural developer freelancing in the areas of curating, writing and marketing. She currently works for the public sector and is Co-Founder/Secretary at rabbit+cocoon. She has curated for Surfers Paradise Festival,19 KAREN and Nine Lives, and has written for cultural publications notably RealTime, Art Monthly, The Thousands and Gold Coast Creative. As an artist she has exhibited at Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts, Metro Arts and Jugglers Artspace. She is passionate about artist-run projects, creative urban activation and cultural advocacy.

In 2011 Mariam was awarded the Regional Arts and Cultural Award from Arts Queensland for her voluntary contributions to the Gold Coast cultural community, and also featured on the Gold Coast White Pages cover as a ‘creative Australian inspiring our community.’ Her projects and collaborations have been featured on ABC TV/Radio, Getaway TV, Art Monthly, Gold Coast Bulletin, Courier Mail, Monster Children, Triple J Radio and Naked City-Guide. Mariam’s previous appointments include: Cultural Development Project Officer at Gold Coast City Council, Co-founding Gallery Director at 19 KAREN Contemporary Artspace, and Co-founding Director at  tinygold artist-run initiative. She has lived on the Gold Coast since 1996, and has completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (First Class) and Bachelor of Creative Arts from Griffith University.She twits here and blogs there.