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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their spirits and their legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors give strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, towards creating a better Queensland.

  • …
  • Engage
  • First Nations
  • Artist: Jennifer Kent Quandamooka | Jinibara | Darumbal

    First Nations

  • Clancestry 2025

    View the Program
  • Bangarra Dance Theatre – Illume

    Bangarra Dance Theatre Illume Community Night

    Buy Tickets

First Nation Peoples have managed their creative and cultural landscape, now named Queensland, for more than 70,000 years. Old ones and young, still continue the vital connection through their distinctive links to Land, Sky and Waters today, in all manner of ways.

Our First Nations program is created, produced and managed, by a team of First Nations Creatives; supporting new works in development, training and upskilling of new artists and arts workers, full scale stage works, celebratory festivals, and community events (such as NAIDOC celebrations and community festivals).

Our First Nations program is bold, resilient, and features fierce Blak work from local, regional and national First Nations artists. This program supports, empowers and elevates First Nations artists into positions where they can create work that explores love, life, celebration, loss, pain and grief through a Blak perspective.

Queensland’s two distinct cultures are showcased through the ancient uniqueness of their diversity and environment. QPAC’s First Nation Programming continues to deepen Queensland First Nations Peoples connections into mainstream industry with strategic leadership and partners throughout our business.

Supported by the success and learnings from our QPAC’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) launched in 2022 and our Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property commitment,  We have now taken the next step in our reconciliation journey with the launch of our Innovate RAP in September 2024. The Innovate RAP signifies our commitment to creating a future where First Nations voices are celebrated and empowered across the arts and ensuring First Nations involvement in QPAC beyond the stage and into everyday operations. 

This program is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

  • About the Artist – Jennifer Kent

    The featured artwork Pearl People – Kgwambi-Barra is by Jennifer Kent, a multicultural Australian with First Nations ancestry from the Quandamooka, Jinibara and Darumbal communities. Read more about the artist and her artwork here.

    Jennifer Kent

    Artist: Jennifer Kent – Quandamooka | Jinibara | Darumbal

What’s on

Discover First Nations brilliance at QPAC!

Mabo Oration

The Mabo Oration 2025

Fri 30 May 2025 | Cairns Performing Arts Centre

2025 celebrates 20 years of The Mabo Oration collaboration between the Queensland Human Rights Commission and QPAC. This year’s Oration will be delivered in Cairns by Katie Kiss.

Terika, an artist from Jarjum Life Museum

QPAC’s Out of the Box Jarjum Life Museum

17 - 22 Jun 2025
QPAC Tunnel

Welcome to Jarjum Life Museum – a museum made by children – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Jarjum.

Art Box for Kids: Mandy Quadrio

QPAC’s Out of the Box Art Box for Kids: Mandy Quadrio

17 - 22 Jun 2025
Gallery 1.4, GOMA

People have been using Tasmanian bull kelp as a material for thousands of years. Create your own unique paper carrier to hold your special treasures at GOMA.

Gurril Storm Bird

QPAC’s Out of the Box Gurril Storm Bird

18 - 21 Jun 2025
Cremorne Theatre

Adapted from the prize-winning children’s picture book, Gurril by Gimuy Walubara Yidinji man Trevor (Bumi) Fourmile, is an exciting opportunity for children to experience the First Nations story told by jarjum.

Sing on Country Music Workshop Tai Bobongie

QPAC’s Out of the Box Sing on Country Music Workshops

19 - 22 Jun 2025
Concert Hall Balcony Foyer

Learn about our beautiful, diverse country through song and traditional language with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Songwoman, Jessie Lloyd.

Spirits of the Wild Workshops

QPAC’s Out of the Box Spirits of the Wild Workshops

19 - 20 Jun 2025
INVENTory, Level 4, Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Brisbane

Our littlest Queenslanders are invited to learn, move and play with us as we share stories of animals from our land and their connections to First Nations cultures.

Clancestry 2025 Clancestry artwork by Casey Coolwell-Fisher

Clancestry

Clancestry returns from 23 July for over two weeks of extraordinary First Nations storytelling, music, dance, art and culture at QPAC!

The Visitors featuring the 2023 cast Image by Stephen Wilson Barker

Clancestry The Visitors

23 - 26 Jul 2025
Playhouse

It’s January 1788 and a mysterious fleet is amassing in the harbour. Seven clan leaders make a momentous decision: to send these strangers on their way or welcome them? 

Black History Month: HERstory | HIStory

Clancestry Black History Month: HERstory | HIStory

25 Jul 2025, From 6pm
Melbourne Street Green

Experience some of the finest local First Nations artists in a night of free live music and storytelling.

Clancestry Weaving Workshops

26 Jul & 2 Aug 2025
Playhouse Lounge

Come and learn to weave at Clancestry! Learn about the regeneration of traditional cultural practices using raffia or palm leaves to create your very own masterpiece.

Clancestry 2024 Smoking Ceremony Image by Red Handed Productions

Clancestry First Gathering

31 Jul 2025, 5:30pm
Melbourne Street Green

Celebrate the First Nations cultures of Brisbane and mark the official opening of Clancestry 2025 with First Gathering.

Wata Image by Sarah Walker

Clancestry Wata

31 Jul 2025, 7:30pm
Concert Hall

Experience a new form of musical collaboration with Wata, an exciting celebration of the musical traditions of the Wagiluk people.

Biggest Mobs Background artwork by Casey Coolwell-Fisher

Clancestry Biggest Mobs

1 Aug 2025, 6pm
Cremorne Theatre

Get your mob together for a night of powerful, high-energy Blak music! An epic culmination of QPAC’s BlakBeats First Nations music development program.

Bangarra Dance Theatre – Illume

Bangarra Dance Theatre Illume

1 - 9 Aug 2025
Playhouse

Step out of the shadows and into the phenomena of light to experience this new theatrical experience, drawing together music, visual arts and dance.

Electric Fields

Clancestry Electric Fields with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra

2 Aug 2025, 7:30pm
Concert Hall

Don’t miss Australian electronic music duo Electric Fields in this unique concert with the full power of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Clancestry 2024 Mob Words Image by Lewis Bin Doraho

Clancestry Live Art at Clancestry

2 - 10 Aug 2025
Melbourne Street Green & Town Square, Fish Lane

Enjoy Live Art at Clancestry as artists create installations and paintings live throughout the festival.

Art of Song Background artwork by Casey Coolwell-Fisher

Clancestry Art of Song

8 Aug 2025, 7:30pm
Cremorne Theatre

Three powerful First Nations songwomen – Jess Hitchcock, Megan Sarmardin and SOLCHLD come together to share their stories through song.

Clancestry 2024 Mob Music Image by Lewis Bin Doraho

Clancestry Mob Music

9 - 10 Aug 2025, From 6:30pm
Melbourne Street Green

Two nights of jam-packed free live music on our Mob Music Stage! Enjoy the vibes as the sun goes down with the sounds of our deadly First Nations artists.

Sparks: First Nations Play Readings Image by Tai Bobongie

Clancestry Sparks: First Nations Play Readings

9 Aug 2025, 5pm
Cremorne Theatre

Be the first to experience four new works written by emerging First Nations playwrights in these 10-minute rehearsed readings.

Clancestry for Kids Image by Axis Productions

Clancestry Clancestry for Kids

9 - 10 Aug 2025
Melbourne Street Green

Join us for a weekend of vibrant culture, creativity, and free family fun as we celebrate First Nations art, stories, and community.

The Anniversary of the National Apology

The Anniversary of the National Apology

Watch Now
Concert Hall Foyer

Remembering the impact of past government policies of forced child removal and Indigenous assimilation and of an important moment in the country’s history.

Capricorn by Aidan Rowlingson

Rent Now
Digital Stage

Explore the tumultuous love story of Sam and Ally in this gripping play that delves into the complexities of relationships, love, and loss.

Bangarra Dance Theatre Illume Community Night

Bangarra Dance Theatre Illume Community Night

The performance of Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Illume on Thursday, 31 July 2025 is an exclusive Community Night event for First Nations Community members. 

This iridescent new theatrical experience draws together music, visual arts and dance to explore the ways light has captivated and sustained Indigenous cultural existence for millennia. 

Buy Tickets
MOB Sign at Clancestry 2023 Photo by Red Handed Productions

Subscribe to QPAC’s First Nations Community List

At QPAC, we value the contributions of First Nations peoples to the arts and strive to enhance their access to arts experiences. As part of our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, we offer MOBTIX pricing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community members for selected events.

Find Out More

In Development

Sparks 2025 Participants

Sparks

Sparks is a PLAYLAB THEATRE and QPAC partnership program which runs for a year and is designed to facilitate pathway opportunities for First Nations Artists in the performing arts.

Find out more about Sparks
Ignition

Ignition

Extending the pathway established by QPAC & Playlab Theatre’s Sparks program, Ignition is the next step for First Nations playwrights to further advance their creative practice.

Find out more about Ignition

BIW A Githalay

This universal and interactive theatrical experience is for children aged five and over. The project is guided by a strong community of Saibai Island mothers, aunties and grandmothers in collaboration with First Nations theatre industry professionals.

Find out more about BIW A Githalay

Gubal Thayemin

This important theatrical piece speaks of a future when our communities have been swallowed by the waters that surround them. Climate change is real, so how do we bring our cultural knowledge and science together to understand the impact of what is occurring around us? 

Find out more about Gubal Thayemin

Preparing Ground

In 2019, leading First Nations choreographers Marilyn Miller (Kukuyalanji and Waanyi), Jasmin Sheppard (Tagalaka and Kurtitjar) and Katina Olsen (Wakka Wakka and Kombumerri) first seeded a powerful new dance project showcasing First Nations-led responses to the environmental devastation of colonisation and climate change. 

Find out more about Preparing Ground

SMOKE

SMOKE is a dance theatre work co-directed by Kirk Page and Jade Dewi TyasTunggal that has been in development on Bundjalung Country in Northern NSW, Meanjin lands of the Yuggaera and Turrbal peoples lands and Indonesia.

Find out more about SMOKE

Watch

Watch engaging conversations, in depth interviews, the retelling of forgotten stories and go behind the scenes.

On Digital Stage

The Anniversary of the National Apology

The Anniversary of the National Apology

Watch Now
Concert Hall Foyer

Remembering the impact of past government policies of forced child removal and Indigenous assimilation and of an important moment in the country’s history.

Capricorn by Aidan Rowlingson

Rent Now
Digital Stage

Explore the tumultuous love story of Sam and Ally in this gripping play that delves into the complexities of relationships, love, and loss.

Stories

Embark on a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Indigenous heritage, wisdom, and creativity.

  • Torres Strait Island Photo: Stutterstock

    The Mabo Oration

    In 2005 the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland (ADCQ) and QPAC partnered to establish he Mabo Oration – a biennial public oration.

  • National Apology Day

    To commemorate the 14th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations in 2022, Link-Up (Qld) hosted a morning tea at QPAC.

  • As it Happened: Clancestry 2022

    Highlights from QPAC’s Clancestry – A Celebration of Country, which ran from 13 to 28 May 2022 and brought together First Nations voices, ideas and talent.

  • QPAC Launches Reconciliation Action Plan

    QPAC launched its Reconciliation Action Plan, signalling the organisation's commitment to reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations peoples.

  • Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir

    The debut performance by the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir was a resounding success with audiences treated to extraordinary choral singing from the outback.

  • Designing a First Nations Festival Space

    How Quandamooka Nunukul artist Casey Coolwell Fisher’s artwork transformed QPAC during QPAC’s Clancestry – A Celebration of Country.

  • Healing Country through the Performing Arts

    Reflections from our Chief Executive John Kotzas and Elder in Residence Aunty Colleen Wall during NAIDOC Week 2021.

  • Meet Rachael Sarra

    Responsible for QPAC’s First Nations artwork, her artwork recognizes and celebrates First Nations people, culture and stories throughout all of Queensland.

  • Luke Pearson Photographer: Rob Shaw

    No Filter with Luke Pearson

    Founder and CEO Luke Pearson, a Gamilaroi man, visited QPAC ahead of delivering The Mabo Oration in June 2019.

  • Already Occupied Photographer: Jo-Anne Driessens

    Behind the Scenes – Already Occupied

    Quandamooka artist, Libby Harward, created a series of installations across various locations at QPAC during QPAC’s Clancestry – A Celebration of Country.

  • Image by LaVonne BoBongie Photography

    Behind the Scenes: Seedlings

    Seedlings is a program which provides creative development opportunities to artists and creatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) heritage.

  • BIW A Githalay

    BIW A GITHALAY (The Crab and the Mangrove Tree) is a universal and interactive theatrical experience for children aged five and over.

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Projects and Events

QPAC is a creative hub where communities come together to celebrate, learn, and grow through the transformative power of the arts.

Behind the scenes at The Rabbits Photo: Darren Thomas

Behind the Scenes

Our Behind the Scenes series takes you on an exclusive journey into the heart of QPAC, where the magic of the stage comes to life.

Support

Support QPAC to help nurture and celebrate Queensland's rich artistic heritage while fostering innovation and creativity for the future.

About

For over three decades, QPAC has been dedicated to enriching lives and nourishing the creative spirit.

Stay up to date with QPAC news. Subscribe to QPAC emails.
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