Supported by a strong line-up of stage musicals, theatre, concerts, comedy and a line-up of other performances, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) has seen more than 1 million people walk through its door in the last financial year. From June 2014 to June 2015 – this number has jumped up to 1.4 million guests.
Queensland Premier and Arts Minister (I think it is an awesome boost to Queensland when the Premier is also the Arts Minister) Annastacia Palaszczuk had this to say on the significant milestone:
Queenslanders have again rewarded QPAC’s great programming for another record year. QPAC has welcomed more than 20 million visitors to around 26,000 performances in its three decades, and more highlights are in store with QPAC as a host venue for Brisbane Festival in September and Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Les Misérables in November. QPAC’s success helps to deliver direct cultural tourism benefits and economic returns for the state.
QPAC Chief Executive, Mr John Kotzas, also had this to say:
This last financial year’s record attendances have proven to us again that the community enjoys coming to QPAC and the Centre is programming works across the year that appeal to all Queenslanders. Shows like The Lion King, the Centre’s exclusive season of the American Ballet Theatre and our longest running annual, sell out concert Spirit of Christmas all show that Queenslanders feel they belong here at QPAC.
QPAC is in a unique position here in Brisbane, included in a vibrant Cultural Precinct where all of the state’s major cultural institutions are right next door to one another, providing us with a real opportunity to invite Queenslanders to enjoy the precinct as a whole, looking to the Performing Arts Centre in particular as a place of meaning and storytelling.
It is important for us as a Centre that the meaning making and storytelling continues out into the regions. Our regional simulcasts have reached a collective audience of more than 20,000 people, and in coming years this is something we are hoping will increase and ensure there are ample opportunities for those living in regional Queensland to enjoy what QPAC has to offer.
As a Centre it is imperative for us to continue to widen our community connection, which will be a real focus for QPAC in the future. We pride ourselves on our program of free events, our major inclusive festivals, Out of the Box and Clancestry, A Celebration of Country and our yet to be launched membership program.
Our membership program which will be launched later this year will invite those who enjoy QPAC and the arts to feel even more connected to the Centre. Allowing us to offer a service that thanks Queenslanders for their continued participation in and love for the arts.
