Queensland takes centre stage

Published Wednesday, 19 February, 2014 at 01:00 PM

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Jann Stuckey

More than 600 performing artists, producers, agents and industry representatives from across the globe will converge on Brisbane as it hosts its first ever Australian Performing Arts Market.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey welcomed delegates to the event, hosted at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

“The Newman Government is delighted to support Asia-Pacific’s premier contemporary performing arts event which enhances the reputation of Queensland and Brisbane as a world-class arts and cultural event destination,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The five-day program will build on the success of previous events and attract more than 1,000 delegates from 30 countries.

“The event joins a calendar of world-class events in Brisbane including the exclusive Cai Guo-Qiang exhibition, American Ballet Theatre and Brisbane International, supporting the Newman Government’s goal to double annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.”

Arts Minister Ian Walker said the Australian Performing Arts Market presented Queensland artists with a unique opportunity to showcase their work with a home state advantage.

“With a busy program including more than 70 showcases, work-in-development pitches and exchange program events, the event offers a range of opportunities for national and international delegates,” Mr Walker said.

“Just about every area of the performing arts sector is represented here including circus, dance, theatre, physical theatre, music, music theatre, opera, cabaret, puppetry and installation art.

“The Australian Performing Arts Market is a great chance for the Queensland arts industry to show off our world-class arts talent and venues and to show how determined we are to grow cultural tourism in this state.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Cr Graham Quirk said Brisbane was rapidly acquiring an international reputation for hosting major arts and business events.
 
“As Brisbane prepares for the G20 Leaders Summit in November, our conference and business events industry is booming,” Cr Quirk said.
 
“This financial year we have committed $2.3 million to host major cultural and sporting events in our city, plus an additional $839,000 to attract business meetings and conventions to Brisbane.
 
“Delegates will very quickly discover our top hotels, thriving restaurant and retail sectors and our unique leisure and cultural attractions, which are making Brisbane a destination of choice for both local and international events.
 
“Brisbane welcomes the Australian Performing Arts Market, with the event further building on our reputation as Australia’s New World City.”

The biennial event will be supported in 2014, 2016 and 2018 by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a partnership with the Australia Council for the Arts, Brisbane Powerhouse and Brisbane City Council.

[ENDS] 19 February 2014
Media Contacts: Minister Stuckey’s Office – 0439 291 268      Tourism and Events Queensland – 3535 5010