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 black 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 black 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 QPAC’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
This program is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
What's on
Discover First Nations brilliance at QPAC!
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Is That You, Ruthie?
2 - 16 DecCremorne Theatre, QPACA raw and heartfelt portrayal of two souls navigating the depths of their shared history, adapted for stage by Leah Purcell.
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Bangarra Dance Theatre Horizon
8 - 17 Aug 2024Playhouse, QPACFrom two of the world’s great First Nations comes Bangarra Dance Theatre’s first mainstage cross-cultural collaboration, Horizon.
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Capricorn by Aidan Rowlingson
Rent NowDigital StageExplore the tumultuous love story of Sam and Ally in this gripping play that delves into the complexities of relationships, love, and loss.
In Development
BIW A Githalay
This universal and interactive theatrical experience is for children aged five and over. The work is a project for Community, driven and made by Community. How the project develops at every stage is decided by the Community with Cultural accountability from Elders. The project is guided by a strong community of Saibai Island mothers, aunties and grandmothers in collaboration with First Nations theatre industry professionals.
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? Can we adapt and mobilise in time so that our cultural knowledge survives the depths of the rising sea?
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.
Straight from the Strait
Straight from the Strait is inspired by the true stories of Torres Strait Island men who left their homes and their families behind to seek work on the mainland. They found brotherhood and triumph despite the backbreaking labour, forging much of the railway transport infrastructure that operates across the country to this day.
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.
Program
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.
Watch
Watch engaging conversations, in depth interviews, the retelling of forgotten stories and go behind the scenes.
Capricorn by Aidan Rowlingson
Capricorn is a play that questions our ambition for career, financial, social and romantic success. How can we make sense of a world where the idea of a long and fulfilling life is pushed on to us?
Stories
Embark on a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Indigenous heritage, wisdom, and creativity.
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The Mabo Oration
In 2005 the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland (ADCQ) and QPAC partnered to establish he Mabo Oration – a biennial public oration.
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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.
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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.
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QPAC Launches Reconciliation Action Plan
QPAC launched its Reconciliation Action Plan, signalling the organisation's commitment to reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations peoples.
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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.
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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.
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Healing Country through the Performing Arts
Reflections from our Chief Executive John Kotzas and Elder in Residence Aunty Colleen Wall during NAIDOC Week 2021.
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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.
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Image by 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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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About
For over three decades, QPAC has been dedicated to enriching lives and nourishing the creative spirit.