Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch is encouraging Queenslanders to celebrate the holiday season at the Queensland Cultural Centre boasting a full program of arts and cultural events, exhibitions and activities that enhance our great Queensland lifestyle.
“Locals, tourists, young and the young at heart, will enjoy the summer offerings at Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and State Library of Queensland in the coming months,” the Minister said.
“Visitors to Queensland Museum can journey back in time to explore the seafaring trade and travels of some of the world’s oldest living cultures with Connections across the Coral Sea, step inside Making Waves: A Century of Australian Coral Reef Science celebrating 100 years of researching Australia’s many colourful reefs or experience the museum at night with an After Dark, Goodnight: Sleepover at the museum! or Night at the Museum event across December and January.
“At QPAC, there’s a sleigh-full of shows to get Queenslanders into the festive spirit, including Queensland Ballet classic Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker (until 23 December), and A Cracker Kransky Christmas with Queensland’s favourite sisters from Esk (until 24 December).
The Minister said families would enjoy Roald Dahl’s The Twits on the QPAC stage from 20 to 24 December, Operation Ouch! from 3 to 4 January, Mary Poppins until 15 January and a pop remix of six Tudor Queens’ stories of historical heartbreak with SIX The Musical from 30 December.
“QAGOMA is once again bringing us some of the world’s most thought-provoking and engaging contemporary art with blockbuster exhibition Air showcasing a breathtaking exploration of the cultural and ecological dimensions of air,” Minister Enoch said.
“With immersive and large-scale works by leading international and Australian artists, Air presents a merger of arts and important ideas on a significant level, exclusively in Queensland.”
QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said Air presented works of art, many newly commissioned, in a range of media from large immersive installations to intimately scaled objects across the entire ground floor of GOMA until 23 April 2023.
“QAGOMA also offered interactive exhibitions including Brian Robinson: Lag | Malu | Daparr (Land ǀ Sea ǀ Sky) and Superpowered which invite children to explore the inspirational artwork and ideas of leading First Nations artists, while ongoing Kids Trail Australian Art Collection and Roy and Matilda Australian Art Collection activities continue to delight,” Mr Saines said.
Minister Enoch said State Library of Queensland will celebrate stories and storytelling over the summer holidays, with a Summer Holiday Fun program featuring the Summer Reading Club and ongoing First 5 Forever sessions.
“State Library’s kuril dhagun showcase space continues its celebration of Indigenous Knowledge Centres as important cultural and community hubs in Queensland with 20 Years Strong, and visitors can continue to soak up the much-loved Queensland to a T exhibition until 26 January.”
Minister Enoch said programming across the Queensland Cultural Centre venues helped to deliver on key priorities of Creative Together, the Palaszczuk Government’s 10-year roadmap to transform the state through arts, culture and creativity.
“Our cultural precinct houses some of Queensland’s most exceptional creative places, offering unique and diverse arts and cultural experiences all within easy walking distance of each other,” the Minister said.
“Programming during these key holiday periods plays an important role in celebrating local, national and international artists, stories and products, while activating this space ensures our cultural vibrancy and grows our reputation as a cultural tourism destination.”
