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.
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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.
Artist: Jennifer Kent – Quandamooka | Jinibara | Darumbal
What’s on
Discover First Nations brilliance at QPAC!
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.
QPAC’s Out of the Box Jarjum Life Museum
Welcome to Jarjum Life Museum – a museum made by children – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Jarjum.
QPAC’s Out of the Box Art Box for Kids: Mandy Quadrio
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.
QPAC’s Out of the Box Gurril Storm Bird
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.
QPAC’s Out of the Box Sing on Country Music Workshops
Learn about our beautiful, diverse country through song and traditional language with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Songwoman, Jessie Lloyd.
QPAC’s Out of the Box Spirits of the Wild Workshops
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
Clancestry returns from 23 July for over two weeks of extraordinary First Nations storytelling, music, dance, art and culture at QPAC!
Clancestry The Visitors
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?
Clancestry Black History Month: HERstory | HIStory
Experience some of the finest local First Nations artists in a night of free live music and storytelling.
Clancestry Weaving Workshops
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 First Gathering
Celebrate the First Nations cultures of Brisbane and mark the official opening of Clancestry 2025 with First Gathering.
Clancestry Wata
Experience a new form of musical collaboration with Wata, an exciting celebration of the musical traditions of the Wagiluk people.
Clancestry Biggest Mobs
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
Step out of the shadows and into the phenomena of light to experience this new theatrical experience, drawing together music, visual arts and dance.
Clancestry Electric Fields with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Don’t miss Australian electronic music duo Electric Fields in this unique concert with the full power of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Clancestry Live Art at Clancestry
Enjoy Live Art at Clancestry as artists create installations and paintings live throughout the festival.
Clancestry Art of Song
Three powerful First Nations songwomen – Jess Hitchcock, Megan Sarmardin and SOLCHLD come together to share their stories through song.
Clancestry Mob Music
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.
Clancestry Sparks: First Nations Play Readings
Be the first to experience four new works written by emerging First Nations playwrights in these 10-minute rehearsed readings.
Clancestry Clancestry for Kids
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
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
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.
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.
In Development
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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For over three decades, QPAC has been dedicated to enriching lives and nourishing the creative spirit.