The joy of First Nations artists and events will be presented next month from 13 – 28 May with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) signature event Clancestry – A Celebration of Country.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said Clancestry 2022 would showcase and celebrate First Nations arts, stories and cultural practices.
“Clancestry’s theme of Celebration of Country will create awareness of the rich history and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and will encourage conversations on our reconciliation journey,” Minister Enoch said.
“The program of music, art, story-telling and performance will embrace the themes of welcoming, pathways and community.”
Minister Enoch said Clancestry offered employment opportunities for more than 130 First Nations artists and arts industry workers across the festival’s 50 events.
“QPAC will engage additional First Nations staff across programming, production, marketing and content creation and connecting them with mentors in their respective fields with workshops and conversations for the local First Nations community, to support artist and sector development,” the Minister said.
“The Queensland Government supports events like Clancestry, as a unique opportunity to build greater awareness and understanding of the contribution and beauty of authentic First Nations arts experiences, especially as we look ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when Queensland’s rich cultural identity is celebrated on a global stage.
“Clancestry is helping to deliver the key priorities of the Queensland Government’s Creative Together 10-Year Roadmap to share our stories, celebrate storytellers and elevate First Nations arts,” Ms Enoch said.
QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said QPAC’s Clancestry – A Celebration of Country was the highlight of the Centre’s year-round First Nations program. “Not only will this two-week program of mostly free events bring together First Nations voices, ideas and talent through performance, it will also see First Nations artists and staff undertake professional development opportunities. This is all part of our broader commitment to healing and deepening our connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,” Mr Kotzas said. “Long before QPAC was here, this stretch of the river was a place to gather, tell stories and exchange ideas so we have a responsibility to make QPAC a welcome place for First Nations People to create and share culture.”
