What Queensland Performing Arts Centre does

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is a state-owned performing arts venue operating as the Queensland Performing Arts Trust under the Queensland Government, headquartered in Brisbane's Cultural Precinct at South Brisbane. Founded in 1985 and celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, QPAC operates five major performance venues — Lyric Theatre (2,000 seats), Concert Hall, Playhouse, Cremorne Theatre, and the new Glasshouse Theatre (1,500 seats, opening early 2026) — plus the Melbourne Street Green outdoor performance space. The organisation generates 85% of revenue from non-government sources, with the remaining 15% from Queensland Government statutory funding, making it commercially self-sustaining relative to public funding despite its statutory-body status.

QPAC's core offering is live performing arts programming spanning theatre, music, dance, opera, comedy, and circus, presenting international blockbusters (Disney's The Lion King in November 2026, Bolshoi Ballet, The Royal Ballet) alongside resident company seasons from Queensland Theatre, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, and Australian Chamber Orchestra. Underlying infrastructure includes Auracast assistive listening across four venues, Digital Stage streaming platform on iOS and Android, the QPAC Museum collection of 80,000+ items, Cérge accessibility guides, and the GoTheatrical captioning app.

The business model combines B2C ticketing (QTIX phone box office, online booking at qpac.com.au, in-person box office, group sales) with B2B revenue from commercial venue hire, Principal Partnerships (Hyundai, MinterEllison), philanthropy via the QPAC Foundation, in-house hospitality (Lyrebird, tomtom, Storytellers, Russell Street Wine Bar, Theatre Bars), parking ($20-$26.50 per entry), and Digital Stage subscriptions ($14.99/month, $134.99/year, $10-$25 pay-per-view). Go-to-market is hybrid: direct-to-consumer, enterprise field sales for group bookings and corporate partnerships, and event-driven demand generated by Brisbane Festival, Clancestry, World Science Festival Brisbane, and Out of the Box. Customer segments include general public and families, the education sector (Digital Stage for Schools, Creative Learning, Artists in Classrooms), First Nations communities (MOBTIX pricing, Clancestry festival), community and social services (Community Support Program), corporate sector (partnerships and venue hire), and regional Queensland audiences reached via touring programs and Digital Stage.

Name

Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Legal name

Queensland Performing Arts Trust

Website

https://qpac.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is a Queensland Government statutory body operating five live performance venues in Brisbane, presenting theatre, music, dance, opera, and comedy to the general public, schools, First Nations communities, and corporate partners, with ticket sales, venue hire, hospitality, philanthropy, and Digital Stage streaming as revenue streams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue and Live Entertainment

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Venue Food, Beverage & Hospitality Operations (Concessions, Catering, Premium Seating) (MPAGALAN), Music Venues & Venue Operators (Clubs, Theaters, Arenas) (MPAIAFAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live theatre programming
• Performing arts streaming
• Venue hire services
• Arts education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: QPAC's primary revenue stream from ticket sales across its five performance venues for theatre, music, dance, opera, and comedy performances.
2. Venue Hire: Commercial hiring of QPAC venues for external events, corporate functions, and private events generating venue rental income.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship and partnership arrangements with corporate entities including Principal Partner Hyundai and MinterEllison. Revenue from branded partnerships and event sponsorship.
4. Philanthropy and Donations: Donations to QPAC Foundation supporting artistic projects, capital initiatives, and community access programs. Includes bequests and major gifts.
5. Hospitality and Food Services: In-house dining outlets including Lyrebird restaurant, tomtom restaurant, Storytellers cafe, Russell Street Wine Bar, and Theatre Bars.
6. Digital Stage Subscriptions: Streaming platform offering free content, monthly subscriptions ($14.99), annual subscriptions ($134.99), and pay-per-view rentals ($10-$25).
7. Commercial Programming: QPAC programs and presents productions, generating revenue through co-productions and presented shows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

QPAC operates five performance venues in Brisbane presenting live theatre, music, dance, opera, comedy and circus programming, complemented by the Digital Stage streaming platform, on-site hospitality outlets, venue hire, accessibility services, education programs, and community engagement initiatives. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, subscriptions, corporate partnerships, philanthropy, venue hire, and hospitality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Performance Programming Live theatre, music, dance, opera, comedy and circus performances presented across QPAC's five Brisbane venues, including international blockbusters such as Disney's The Lion King and Bolshoi Ballet, and home seasons from Queensland Theatre Company, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet and Opera Queensland.
• Venue Hire

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of revenue from non-government sources demonstrating strong commercial sustainability
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Multicultural AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Connecting Through the Arts program established in 2023 to celebrate culturally diverse arts practices and improve access and equity for multicultural communities across Queensland.
• WOW AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with WOW Australia presenting Voices Shaping the Future, a two-day celebration of conversations, performances and workshops.
• HyundaicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHyundai is Principal Partner of QPAC, providing corporate sponsorship support for the performing arts centre's operations and programming.
• MinterEllisoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMinterEllison is Principal Partner of QPAC, hosting client events at the venue including bespoke cultural evenings in the Glasshouse Theatre.
• EnergexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergex is Supporting Partner of Clancestry 2026, QPAC's annual First Nations festival celebrating storytelling, music, dance, art and culture.
• Griffith UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Griffith University connecting education, creativity and industry practice to support the future of the arts. Queensland Conservatorium students perform at QPAC.
• OzHarvestminorOthersQPAC and OzHarvest partnership shares excess food from QPAC kitchens to assist vulnerable community members.
• Stage QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechConnect partnership delivering a three-year technical traineeship program for emerging technical staff in performing arts venues.
• Arts Centre MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTri-state technical traineeship program TechConnect partnership with Stage Queensland and Arts Centre Melbourne.
• Metro ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStorytellers partnership program between QPAC and Metro Arts to realise fresh ideas and foster new voices in theatre for First Nations playwrights and physical theatre artists.
• Playlab TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSparks program is a QPAC and Playlab Theatre partnership running for one year to facilitate pathway opportunities for First Nations Artists in performing arts.
• ArcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArcare is Major Partner of Digital Stage, supporting streaming of performing arts content to aged care facilities and community screening events.
• CérgecoreTechnology or IntegrationCérge provides accessibility guides for QPAC including Visual Story & Sensory Guide, Access Guide, and Audio Guide to help patrons with accessibility needs navigate the venue.
• Arts QueenslandcoreOthersArts Queensland manages Cultural Centre car parks (P1, P2, P3) and provides government support for Queensland cultural institutions including QPAC.
• Queensland GovernmentcoreOthersQPAC is established as an Arts Statutory Body under the Queensland Government. Arts Queensland provides operational support and the department's funding represents 15% of QPAC's revenue.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: America's national performing arts center and a federally supported multi-venue presenter. Operates a similar model to QPAC with government backing, diverse programming across theatre/music/dance/opera, education programs, and accessibility leadership.
• Sydney Opera House: Australia's flagship performing arts venue and the most direct domestic peer to QPAC. Both are government-supported multi-venue presenting centres offering theatre, music, dance, opera, and comedy; Sydney Opera House competes directly for the same international touring productions and corporate partnerships that QPAC pursues.
• Arts Centre Melbourne: Melbourne's premier performing arts complex with multiple venues, comparable in scale and programming mix to QPAC. Arts Centre Melbourne is a techConnect partner with QPAC and competes for the same pool of international ballet, opera, and musical theatre tours across the eastern Australian market.
• Hong Kong Arts Centre: A self-funded, non-government performing arts presenter in Asia that operates comparable programming across music, theatre, dance, film, and visual arts. Comparable to QPAC in its non-statutory funding model and programming breadth across multiple art forms.
• Southbank Centre: London's largest arts centre, comprising multiple concert and performance venues including Royal Festival Hall. Directly comparable to QPAC in operating a multi-venue presenting model with classical music, contemporary performance, education, and community programs.
• Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay: Singapore's national performing arts centre with multiple venues and a comparable mission of presenting diverse performing arts. Esplanade's free programming, accessibility focus, and digital extensions mirror QPAC's community and education outreach model.
• Adelaide Festival Centre: Adelaide's primary performing arts venue and Australia's first purpose-built arts centre. Comparable in scale to QPAC, hosting theatre, music, dance, and festivals with a similar mix of state-government support and commercial revenue streams.

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: The leading US performing arts campus with multiple resident companies and venues. While larger and more corporate in structure, Lincoln Center offers a comparable model of multi-venue presenting, educational programming, and digital content distribution.
• Barbican Centre: One of Europe's largest performing arts complexes, presenting theatre, music, dance, film, and visual arts across multiple venues. Functions as a useful international benchmark for QPAC's multi-venue programming model and integrated cultural programming approach.

Regional players

• Perth Theatre Trust: Western Australia's state-government performing arts venues operator. A regional Australian peer operating a comparable state-statutory model with multi-venue presenting, though serving a different (Western Australian) audience base than QPAC's Queensland focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/atQPAC
• Xx.com/QPAC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Queensland Performing Arts Centre