PUBLIC CELEBRATION FOR OPENING OF LANDMARK CULTURAL BUILDINGS

Published Friday, 10 November, 2006 at 04:28 PM

Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford

Queenslanders are being invited to attend a free celebration at the Queensland Cultural Centre on 2 December to mark the opening of the new Gallery of Modern Art and redeveloped State Library of Queensland.

Arts Minister, Rod Welford, said People’s Day would be an opportunity for the public to experience the $291 million redeveloped Cultural Centre, which is home to the State’s flagship arts and cultural institutions.

“People’s Day will welcome the public and give people an opportunity to discover, explore and enjoy these stunning new facilities and outdoor spaces,” Mr Welford said.

“The new Gallery of Modern Art will (GoMA) open its doors to the public for the first time with the 5th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art going on display in the new Gallery and the refurbished Queensland Art Gallery.

“There will be plenty to see inside and outside the new buildings, including the Maiwar Green Amphitheatre and the Stanley Place expanse stretching from GoMA to the Queensland Art Gallery’s new entrance.

“People’s Day will feature great entertainment for the whole family, including the always exciting James Morrison and his band, lots of fun activities for the kids, rides on the People’s Day bus and a giant puzzle to put together.

“There are activities happening across the entire precinct – in the Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, State Library of Queensland, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art.

“As night falls, the Cultural Centre will beat to a different drum with a conga line, digital lighting installation and more fantastic music to dance the night away.

“People’s Day highlights Queensland’s emergence as a thriving international cultural destination and showcases the creativity and innovation that makes our state the SmartState.

“This is a great day for Queensland and I invite people to enjoy your new Cultural Centre on People’s Day and in years to come.”

The redevelopment of the Cultural Centre is the centrepiece of the Beattie Government’s Millennium Arts Project – Queensland’s largest cultural infrastructure project in 30 years.

Activities are taking place from 10am to late. For a full program visit ourbrisbane.com or phone 3225 8849.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 32371000 or 0419 734 985