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Queensland Performing Arts Centre set to mark 40 years of excellence

Queensland Performing Arts Centre set to mark 40 years of excellence
April 9, 2025

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is to celebrate 40 years of vibrant arts and cultural experiences with a free community celebration will be held on Saturday 12th April.

Since opening in April 1985, QPAC has delivered exceptional arts experiences for more than 30 million people through 33,500 shows and performances.

The QPAC40 program includes the return of three favourite events including Out of the Box festival, Clancestry, and the QPAC International Series.

Out of the Box returns for the first time since 2018 and runs from 17th to 22nd June, providing children, families and teachers with inspiring arts experiences that support creativity, learning and play.

The acclaimed International Series makes a triumphant comeback, featuring Swan Lake presented by France’s Ballet Preljocaj from 31st May to 7th June.

QPAC’s unique Clancestry festival is an exciting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture, running from 23rd July to 10th August.

Looking forward to this Saturday’s community event, Queensland Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek stated “QPAC continues to produce innovative, inspiring, and creative programs that build on four decades of arts excellence.

“Whether it’s presenting world premiere performances or showcasing the talent of local artists, QPAC continues to shine as one of Australia’s leading performing arts venues.”

QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy said the community event would launch a campaign encouraging people to share their own QPAC stories: the highlights, the personal moments and the experiences that shaped them.

Healy noted “all that we do at QPAC is driven by people. Without our audiences, artists, crew and staff, we’re just bricks and mortar. It’s the community that makes QPAC.

“Our special year is packed full of incredible programming including QPAC’s three signature programs: Out of the Box, International Series and Clancestry, as well as a raft of free and paid events, tours, community activities, workshops, productions and shows.”

New theatre at Queensland Performing Arts Centre
QPAC is also to be enhanced with a new 1,500-capacity, state-of-the-art theatre that will create the largest performing arts centre in Australia.

While the opening of the news venue has been delayed until early 2026, the new performing arts venue will create the largest performing arts centre in Australia. With five venues, the theatre will welcome an additional 300,000 visitors per year.

Click here to find out more about the project.

Images: QPAC from the Brisbane River (top, credit: Shutterstock) and the design concept for the interior of the complex's new 1,500-capacity theatre (below).

Related Articles

26th June 2024 - Queensland Performing Arts Centre appoints new Chief Executive

12th June 2024 - Queensland budget backs music venues and junior sport while confirming 2032 Games and QPAC spending

1st December 2023 - Queensland Performing Arts Centre flags employment opportunities

20th July 2022 - Queensland Symphony Orchestra to stage free 75th birthday concert at QPAC concert hall

6th June 2022 - First Nations public art to be featured in new QPAC theatre

12th August 2021 - Construction commences on QPAC’s new 1500 capacity state-of-the-art theatre

14th June 2021 - QPAC’S John Kotzas recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list

21st December 2020 - Queensland Performing Arts Centre selects SWIFTPOS to modernise guest experience platform

9th December 2020 - International circus collaboration to premiere Shaun the Sheep Circus Show at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre

30th November 2020 - QPAC opens to 100% capacity audience with Shrek The Musical

19th November 2020 - QPAC announce 2021 program with spaces returning to full capacity 

23rd September 2020 - Queensland’s major arts companies return to QPAC

21st August 2020 - QPAC leads Queensland arts venues in preparing for reopening

18th February 2020 - Queensland performing arts celebrated at 2019 Matilda Awards

19th March 2019 - Managing contractor EOI called for new Queensland Performing Arts Centre theatre

29th January 2019 - Design teams shortlisted for new Queensland Performing Arts Centre theatre

27th May 2018 - New $150 million theatre to be built at Queensland Performing Arts Centre

14th May 2015 - Queensland Performing Arts Centre celebrates 30 years of arts and entertainment


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