First Nations Cultural Centres
The Queensland Government is leading the development of business cases for First Nations Cultural Centres in Brisbane and in Cairns.
It is envisioned these Cultural Centres will be places to share the history, stories, and truth telling of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and act as hubs that connect with First Nations communities across the state, including the network of Indigenous Art Centres and other significant sites and locations throughout Queensland.
In 2018, the Queensland Government began investigating the development of a First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane to celebrate and showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures and arts, and truthfully explain the history of our past and present.
In 2022 the Australian Government, Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors (SEQ) announced the SEQ City Deal which included a commitment towards the development of a business case for a First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane.
Acknowledging the significant opportunity to recognise the contributions of First Nations peoples in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait, in May 2023 the Queensland Government announced that a business case for a First Nations Cultural Centre in Cairns will be developed.
First Nations Cultural Centres timeline
- View a PDF copy of the First Nations Cultural Centres timeline (PDF) (34.11 KB)
These projects elevate First Nations arts and cultures as a priority of the Queensland Government’s Creative Together 2020-2030: A 10-year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland, support the Path to Treaty process, celebrate First Nations arts and cultures ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and create employment and skills development opportunities.
In August 2023 Ms Georgina Richters, Principal and Lead of the firm First Nations Advisory, was appointed as the First Nations Project Lead. The First Nations Project Lead is responsible for leading the delivery of the business cases and management of all interfaces with external specialist advisors. This work has commenced and is in the planning phase.
Targeted engagement with Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and key stakeholders will be a priority to ensure the business cases are informed by evidence and best practice, and accurately reflect feedback from Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and key stakeholders.
Contact: fncc@arts.qld.gov.au
FAQs
It is anticipated the First Nations Cultural Centres will:
- Create greater recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures that heals the wounds of the past;
- Provide exposure to new domestic and international art and tourist markets;
- Feature large scale authentic and educational Indigenous offerings that preent the unique culture;
- Enable collaboration with other jurisdictions; and
- Leverage Queensland’s competitive advantage as home to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
The potential for First Nations Cultural Centres in Brisbane and Cairns would elevate First Nations arts and cultures as a priority of the Queensland Government’s Creative Together 2020-2030: A 10-year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland, support the Path to Treaty process, provide significant legacy outcomes for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games delivers, and create employment and skills development opportunities. The establishment of these Centres would also deliver on the State’s ambitious tourism industry strategy Towards Tourism 2032.
Australia has the oldest living continuous cultures in the world, with Queensland uniquely home to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
For more than two decades there has been an ambition to establish a First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane.
In 2018, the Queensland Government began investigating a First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane to celebrate and showcase the unique stories, traditions and cultures of First Nations peoples of Queensland.
The 2019–20 Queensland Budget provided funding of $2 million over two years to deliver an options assessment for an iconic First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane.
In March 2022, the Australian Government, Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors (South East Queensland) committed a further $3 million through the South East Queensland City Deal for a Detailed Business Case for a First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane.
In May 2023, the Queensland Government announced the development of a Business Case for a First Nations Cultural Centre in Cairns.
The full timeline for the progress to date can be found on this page.
The Business Cases will explore options to connect the Brisbane and Cairns based First Nations Cultural Centres with First Nations communities, Indigenous Art Centres and other significant sites and locations throughout Queensland.
This could potentially occur through a ‘hub and spoke’ model and could provide improved economic outcomes and jobs for First Nations peoples and enhanced tourism opportunities in regional areas.
The purpose of the Detailed Business Cases is to provide sufficient information to support an informed investment decision.
The Business Cases will also consider governance, operating and delivery models, the role, function and scale of the Centres, potential sites, curatorial frameworks and a cultural permission framework.
The Detailed Business Cases will prioritise engagement with Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including the Brisbane and Cairns Traditional Owners. The Business Cases will be informed by evidence and best practice, and will reflect feedback provided by Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and key stakeholders.
In August 2023 the Queensland Government appointed the First Nations Project Lead responsible for leading the delivery of the business cases for Brisbane and Cairns. The planning phase is now underway.
As the project progresses, updates will be provided on this page.
For further information you can email: FNCC@arts.qld.gov.au