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 the success and learnings from our QPAC’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and our Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property commitment.
This program is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
What's on
Discover First Nations brilliance at QPAC!
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Clancestry First Gathering
We regret to announce that this event will not be part of Clancestry this year. Although First Gathering will no longer be proceeding, we warmly invite you to join us at the other Clancestry events.
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Clancestry Warriors
Purchase tickets for your chance to win a Brisbane Broncos 2024 Indigenous Round Jersey*! Experience a night of inspiring music featuring powerhouse First Nations artists.
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Clancestry Clancestry Creatives
During Clancestry, QPAC will be supporting the ongoing creative development of two works: Eat, Slay, Zombie by Alinta McGrady and Growing Back by SOLCHLD.
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Clancestry Mob Music
Three nights of jam-packed jams on our Mob Music Stage! Enjoy the vibes as the sun goes down with the sounds of our deadly First Nations artists.
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Clancestry Clancestry Conversations
Clancestry Conversations is a curated series of conversations centred around First Nations issues of today.
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Clancestry Clancestry for Kids
See the host of activities to get involved in below and be sure to stop by for songs, stories, and cultural activities for the whole family!
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Clancestry Weaving Workshops
Come and learn to weave at Clancestry! During this free workshop, learn about the regeneration of traditional cultural practices using recycled materials to create your very own masterpiece.
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Bangarra Dance Theatre Horizon
From two of the world’s great First Nations comes Bangarra Dance Theatre’s first mainstage cross-cultural collaboration, Horizon.
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Opera Queensland Straight from the Strait
The extraordinary story of Torres Strait Island men and women who worked on the Mount Newman railway construction project.
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Camerata Camerata, Lou Bennett & Lior: Ngapa William Cooper
Featuring a world premiere arrangement for chamber orchestra, this heartfelt performance combines music and storytelling to honour Uncle William's remarkable journey.
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Big Name, No Blankets
Celebrate the phenomenal journey and impact of Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher!
Clancestry
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Clancestry
Clancestry returns from 30 July in a program of First Nations arts and culture at QPAC.
An iconic event part of QPAC’s calendar since 2013, Clancestry is a celebration of identity and connection, providing a platform for both established and emerging First Nations artists to share their stories, perspectives, and talents.
In Development
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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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.
On Digital Stage
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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.
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Digital Stage The Mabo Oration (2017)
In 2017, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the ruling, a panel discussion was facilitated by journalist and author Stan Grant.
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Digital Stage The Mabo Oration (2019)
Luke Pearson, founder of @IndigenousX, delivered the 2019 Oration, discussing Indigenous media representation and the importance of First Nations voices telling their own stories.
Stories
Embark on a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Indigenous heritage, wisdom, and creativity.
First Nations Waitlist
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First Nations Waitlist
Love work that is bold, resilient, and features fierce black work from local, regional and national First Nations artists? Subscribe and stay connected with First Nations news and events at QPAC.
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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.
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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.
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Support
Support QPAC to help nurture and celebrate Queensland's rich artistic heritage while fostering innovation and creativity for the future.
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About
For over three decades, QPAC has been dedicated to enriching lives and nourishing the creative spirit.