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Brisbane Airport has long been a committed partner to the arts and culture scene in Brisbane, and 2025 marked some exciting milestones in its partnerships with five major cultural institutions: La Boite (15 years), Brisbane Powerhouse (20 years), Queensland Theatre (20 years), Museum of Brisbane (10 years), and Brisbane Festival (18 years). These long-standing partnerships show Brisbane Airport’s deep commitment to supporting Brisbane’s arts scene.
Australia’s longest-running theatre company, La Boite Theatre, celebrated its centenary in 2025 – a major achievement that reflects its evolution from a small, artist-run initiative into a nationally significant incubator of new Australian work.
Artistic Director and CEO Courtney Stewart says the partnership with Brisbane Airport has helped La Boite amplify Queensland voices and support new creative talent.
“Being able to invest in and support the telling of new stories is really, really important for us to be able to understand who we are – and the support of this partnership contributes so much to making that possible,” she says.
Courtney also reflects on the meaning behind La Boite reaching 100 years. “It’s kind of a miracle that a theatre company has been able to make it this far. Ensuring that creatives really understand their value and feel their worth is critical to our community,” she says.
Through initiatives such as its Assembly program, which nurtures emerging writers, directors and performers, La Boite continues to ensure fresh perspectives and diverse voices take centre stage.
Brisbane Powerhouse also plays a leading role in the city’s cultural momentum, standing proudly on the banks of the Brisbane River and hosting theatre, music, comedy, and visual art all year round.
CEO/Artistic Director Louise Bezzina says the two-decade partnership with Brisbane Airport has supported some of the precinct’s most impactful programming.
“Brisbane Airport has been a critical partner of arts and culture in this city across the board for decades. It’s a genuine partnership that has endured 20 years,” she says.
One standout example is the long-running World Press Photo exhibition. “There’s no way we would have been able to continue to do that – tens of thousands of visitors come to Brisbane Powerhouse for World Press Photo every year, and it’s a really big part of our visual arts program.”
She adds that Brisbane deserves a bold, globally recognised arts scene: “We all need to work together to ensure that it’s sustainable, it’s viable, and it is absolutely thriving and growing.”
Each September, Brisbane Festival transforms Brisbane with live performance, spectacle and public art.
Artistic Director Ebony Bott says the airport plays a major role in connecting audiences and artists from across Australia and around the world.
“We bring hundreds of artists from across Australia and around the world to Brisbane each year. The airport is their first experience of the city. Our deep relationship with the airport helps us make a great first impression. And that's crucial for us; we want those artists to rave to their colleagues around the world about their time here, from landing to take-off," she says.
She is also excited about the role Brisbane Festival will play as the city steps toward 2032: “My vision is about taking Brisbane to the world and the world to Brisbane… a beautiful love affair the world has only just started to have with Brisbane.”
This year, the partnership delivered a standout welcome to the city, with internationally acclaimed artists Craig & Karl’s vibrant large-scale installation greeting passengers the moment they stepped off the plane at the domestic terminal. The activation offered a snapshot of the creativity happening across Brisbane and a reminder that the Festival belongs to everyone.
Queensland Theatre Company has long been a cornerstone of Brisbane’s cultural identity, bringing world-class storytelling to audiences across the state for more than 50 years. As the city grows, so too does the company’s ambition to create theatre that reflects Queensland’s diversity, challenges perspectives, and connects communities through shared experiences.
As Artistic Director Daniel Evans embarks on delivering his inaugural season in the role, he says the company is energised by the momentum building across Brisbane’s arts landscape. “We’re entering an incredibly exciting chapter for theatre in this city. Brisbane audiences are hungry for bold, locally made work, and Queensland Theatre Company is committed to creating stories that speak directly to who we are and who we’re becoming,” he says.
QTC's 2026 Season is All Feeling. No Filter invites everyone to experience storytelling at it's biggest and boldest with Dan saying "it's our gift to audiences."
During a conversation with Zoe Graham, CEO and Director of Museum of Brisbane, she highlighted just how important Brisbane Airport has been to the museum over the last decade.
“We’re one of the many lucky beneficiaries of the Airport’s support,” Zoe said, sharing how the partnership has become part of the museum’s fabric. With Brisbane Airport’s backing, Museum of Brisbane been able to launch new initiatives like The Creative Space - designed to invite families, children, and visitors of all ages and abilities to explore, imagine, and create. Brisbane Airport is also Museum of Brisbane’s Access Program Partner supporting their Quiet Afternoons and LOTE tours and events
Across these organisations, a shared vision emerges: a confident, globally connected cultural city ready to shine on the world stage in the lead up to 2032.
Courtney says the Games are a chance to “band together” and get “match-fit to be on the world stage.” Louise sees Brisbane Powerhouse becoming “a real signature platform for the Asia Pacific.” Daniel says Brisbane Airport’s support has “helped us remove barriers to experiencing theatre,” creating opportunities for more Queenslanders to connect with the arts in the years ahead. Ebony says the next decade presents a huge opportunity for Brisbane’s arts sector: “We’re talking a lot about legacy… and the skills development and new art forms that will emerge. Brisbane will be on the front foot of that.” Museum of Brisbane shares that focus on the decade ahead, saying they are exploring new ways to tell Brisbane’s stories and Brisbane Airport will continue to be a key partner in that work.
As Brisbane’s cultural landscape continues to grow, everyone has a role to play. Whether you’re a Brisbane local or visiting for the first time: buy a ticket to a show, explore our cultural precincts and share the experiences that move you. Every visit, every audience member, and every moment of creativity helps shape the future of arts in Brisbane.