Qtopia Sydney intends to launch the first LGBTQIA+ museum in Sydney after landing a location at The Bandstand in Darlinghurst to showcase the Queer community through the lens of art, culture and history.
November marks a milestone for the not-for-profit organisation, with its first physical exhibition space being leased only metres from Ward 17 in St Vincent’s Hospital, the first dedicated HIV/AIDS unit in Australia.
“This space serves as a reminder of the journey and obstacles the Queer community has both faced and overcome in recent decades, particularly with its proximity to St Vincent’s where I, among many, was treated for HIV/AIDS,” said Qtopia Sydney’s Board Member and Chair, David Polson.
“With the support of Sydney City Council, we are thrilled to have obtained this space to share significant facets of Queer history and culture,” he said.
This milestone comes after the City of Sydney voted earlier in the year in favour of a grant to support the organisation’s efforts to educate, engage and celebrate, worth almost $300,000.
This news was paired with announcement that the National Art School (NAS) will also accommodate Qtopia Sydney in a space that will join The Bandstand in paying homage to the history of the Queer community in and around the space between St Vincent’s Hospital and the NAS.
Qtopia Sydney’s Chief Executive Officer, Greg Fisher, said, “We are delighted to enter into an arrangement with the National Arts School to provide us with exhibition space that supports The Bandstand during Sydney WorldPride.
“Sydney WorldPride is a fantastic chance to share our story and honour people who have pioneered LGBTQIA+ advocacy and change, and we are thrilled at what this new opportunity presents,” he said.
“And whilst we are thrilled with our inaugural site, we will continue to advocate hard for the former Darlinghurst Police Station – geographically relevant, with the potential of being a liberating force for past wrongs to our community.”
“Our very special Patrons The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and Ita Buttrose AC OBE, our Board members, advisory panel and supporting community groups, are incredibly excited for the public to witness what we have been working on over the past years, but also for an exhibition to take place at such a significant time for LGBTQIA+ people in Australia.”
“Watch this space. We have so much to unveil over coming months and we really can’t wait to share it with the people of Sydney and the rest of the world,” he concluded.
