How would you like to meet the inventor of the robot vacuum cleaner? Ever wondered how people think of the ideas that propel us forward? The Ideas Festival is a place to explore new ideas and meet the people leading the way into the future. Read full story >

The 2009 Ideas Festival will present the first special event in its program next month, featuring one of the world’s foremost thinkers. Read full story >

The curtain has gone up on a unique production at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) starring an army of construction workers. Read full story >

Minister for the Arts Rod Welford and Minister for Energy Geoff Wilson have announced a significant makeover of the iconic Dinosaur Garden at Queensland Museum South Bank. Read full story >

Tropic Sun Theatre Company in Townsville recently announced the new joint Artistic Directors of the company, Madonna Davies and Karen Gibb. Read full story >

Community collecting organisations from the Gold Coast, Hinterland and Scenic Rim areas recently completed the 2008 Museum and Gallery Services Queensland (M&GSQ) Standards Program. Read full story >

Djumbunji Press KickArts Fine Art Printmaking Studio in Cairns will officially open later this year with the knowledge that it has already helped young artists learn new skills. Read full story >

Three con artists, nine gullible Londoners and cash to burn – Ben Jonson’s comedy The Alchemist is set to dazzle audiences with its big cast, fast pace and outrageous wit when it opens in Brisbane on 23 February for the first leg of its national tour. Read full story >

The Queensland Art Gallery's Kids: Contemporary Australia Summer Festival kicked off on Friday 16 January, providing families with a program of fun and free activities inspired by the Contemporary Australia: Optimism exhibition, showing at GoMA until 22 February. Read full story >

Children will be able to take a trip to the tropics while the adults explore the geographical history of Australia at the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) during summer. Read full story >

A new exhibition at Queensland Museum South Bank showcases the people, places and events that have shaped Queensland over the past 150 years. Read full story >

It’s back – the hugely popular Art of Good Business seminar returns in 2009! In this tough economic climate artists and arts organisations need tools, techniques and networks to secure contacts and private sector support. Read full story >

Are you interested in attracting tax-deductible donations to support your work? Are you a practicing artist or organisation that has not yet registered for deductible gift recipient status? Find out how you could benefit from AbaF’s Australia Cultural Fund. Read full story >

This workshop is part of the Artist Business workshop series for visual artists and provides practical advice and tips on applying for grants. Topics include grants available for visual artists, researching available grants, steps in the grant process, preparing an application, budgeting, managing multiple applications, and the grant assessment process. Read full story >

Whether you work full time as a visual artist, or supplement your artistic career with other work, you can improve your knowledge and skills at this free workshop. Artist Business will strengthen your business skills and help you build a sustainable art practice. This practical workshop includes presentations by industry experts, gallery professionals and leading visual artists. Read full story >

Be sure to save the date for our Nominations Briefing for the 2009 AbaF Awards in Queensland. Arts organisations and businesses that engage in sponsorship, volunteering or donations programs are invited to enter the 2009 Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards. Read full story >

http://www.ticketingprofessionals.com.au
Hear from national and international ticketing experts and network with your peers from around Australia. As part of the conference, the trade show offers system vendors and delegates the opportunity to share, discuss and demonstrate recent advances in ticketing systems and the analysis of box office data. Read full story >

http://www.cancervic.org.au/artsawards
Cancer Council Victoria is calling on all Australians touched by cancer to share their experiences creatively by entering the Cancer Council Victoria Arts Awards. Read full story >

http://www.contact.org.au
Contact Inc is seeking emerging and established arts workers for their 2009 programs Laydeez Biz, Little Laydeez and Each One Teach One. Read full story >

We welcome feedback and contributions to Arts Update. Please contact the editor, Colleen Turner on (07) 3225 8841 or email artsupdate@arts.qld.gov.au