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.
What’s on
Discover First Nations brilliance at QPAC!
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.
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.
In Development
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 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.
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.
On Digital Stage
Stories
Embark on a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Indigenous heritage, wisdom, and creativity.
MOBTIX at QPAC
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.
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For over three decades, QPAC has been dedicated to enriching lives and nourishing the creative spirit.