Objective: Shine the global spotlight on Queensland’s unique arts and cultural experiences, attracting audiences, driving regional economic growth and enhancing the state’s reputation as an arts destination.
By embracing the state’s cultural assets and beauty, significant opportunity exists to propel Queensland‘s experience economy in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032. This includes celebrating what makes Queensland unique - we are home to the world’s longest continuing cultures, have a wealth of creative talent, diverse geographies and communities, and a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Queensland Government’s Destination 2045: Delivering Queensland’s Tourism Future is committed to ensuring Queensland is a global leader in tourism and events. This includes developing and strengthening arts experiences that incorporate and share our cultures and heritage and give visitors a taste of Queensland’s extraordinary people and lifestyles.
Queensland has a strong track record in delivering celebrated home-grown arts experiences. These include the state’s leading arts festival, Brisbane Festival, the unique Festival of Outback Opera and one of the nation’s largest celebrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
Strengthening the state’s existing iconic events, boosting beloved local events and developing new experiences will underpin a cultural calendar that drives Queensland’s reputation as a premier cultural destination, attracting visitors to all corners of the state.
Demand for authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural tourism experiences continues to grow, and we need to ensure communities are supported to prepare for new and larger audiences.
From our smallest to our largest arts and cultural events and experiences, each plays an important role in activating local cultural economies through creative employment and boosting local businesses and regions.
Actions 2025-2026
2.1 Deliver arts, cultural and creative priorities as highlighted in the Destination 2045 plan, including the growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander festivals and experiences.
2.2 Open a refreshed Cultural Tourism Fund to support arts and cultural experiences and events in Queensland.
2.3 Partner with regional and state tourism bodies to strengthen Queensland’s annual arts and cultural calendar, including growing arts programming within key events.
2.4 Foster location-based film tourism and screen culture experiences in Queensland, including through Screen Queensland’s Screen Community Industry Partnerships Fund.
2.5 Deliver major programming, special exhibitions and events across the state’s collecting and cultural institutions that promote and profile the Queensland Cultural Centre (Brisbane) and Queensland as a world-class cultural destination.
2.6 Grow the global profile of the State’s Arts Statutory Bodies and Arts Owned Organisations through national and international collaborations and partnerships.