Brisbane Festival 2024 In Review

In Review

2024

Always Was

Brisbane Festival, the Festival Board and the Indigenous Advisory Group continue to build a festival which expresses its respect for and acknowledgment of the various Traditional Owners and Custodians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands and waterways. Our respects extend to the Brisbane Traditional Owners of country, along with the neighbouring communities where the works are performed and celebrated across Brisbane areas.

We recognise the fundamental role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to play in the creative and artistic events and celebrations and importantly the continued engagement with the Indigenous Advisory Group and the communities. We are committed to the development of opportunities for further growing the various cultural performances across the festival.

Brisbane Festival and the Indigenous Advisory Group will continue to embrace, engage and collaborate in partnership towards a progressive future.

Always Will Be

We acknowledge the continuing connection to land, waters and communities where programs respectfully reflect and honour the Elders past, present and emerging.

Brisbane Festival Indigenous Advisory Group Members Aunty Raelene Rallah-Baker (Warrunghu) YUGGERA, BIRRI, GIRRAMAY NATIONS Shannon Ruska YUGGERA, TOORABUL Aunty Bridget Garay KEMER KEMER MERIAM NATION Ben Graetz MALAK MALAK, KUNGARAKAN, MURAN CLAN (IWAIDJA), TORRES STRAIT ISLANDS (BADU ISLAND) Danielle Ah Boo SAMSEP, DHOEYBAW, MALULIGAL AND KULKALGAL Luke Peacock ERUB AND MERIAM Sharnee Hegarty GUNGGARI AND WULKURUKABA

"It is a very special festival of very high quality performers. The festival brings Brisbane alive in September and I wouldn't leave Brisbane at this time of the year. This year was the best ever." – ATTENDEE

Us And All Of This A collective act of radical slowness unfolding at The Forecourt, Brisbane Powerhouse Image by Billie Wilson-Coffey Cover image by Damien Bredberg

From the Artistic Director In 2024, Brisbane Festival invited you to 'Find Your Fit'. Which you did, setting a record for our festival with 1.8 million people gathering over 23 days, turning moments into memories and strangers into friends.

You came on an adventure that invited you to be daring and risqué with the Australian exclusive of our international headline show, Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show.

Commissioned to complement this landmark production was a stunning new work from the formidable rising local superstar Grace Lillian Lee with The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace. Together, these works lay the foundation for our festival and a celebration of our individuality and collective community.

This year’s Festival called on us to embrace frivolity. As Rosemary Neil from The Australian wrote, “Queensland’s biggest annual cultural event has solidified its reputation as one of Australia’s most significant and ambitious festivals.”

The highly anticipated world premiere and sell-out success of Trent Dalton’s Love Stories had our city, and the rest of Australia, fall for its moving, poignant and truly profound stage production. Minds were blown and artists inspired by the Australian premiere of Volcano by Irish contemporary dance legend Luke Murphy. Access and Inclusion were honoured with our largest program of performances by artists with a disability. The much-loved return of Brisbane Serenades invited audiences across our city to connect in a free celebration of music and community.

First Nations artists and ancestral storytelling made for a spectacular end to Festival with the breathtaking Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent drone display, as thousands gathered at ANZ Festival Garden to look up to the dazzling night sky.

Brisbane Festival 2024 was a myriad of offerings that burst onto the city stages. This year we promised not just to resonate with established tastes, but as festival historian Dr. Georgia Seffrin says, “also to shake, ‘wow’, and play with [audiences]”. Through all of you, we achieved this.

Our festival was made possible through our community of supporters, our government shareholders, corporate sponsors and generous donors. With your passion and commitment to making Brisbane shine each September, we delivered a program that invited everyone to be part of something that will leave lasting memories.

It was my great pleasure and privilege to curate and direct this year’s Festival in partnership with the Board and the team at Brisbane Festival HQ. I look forward to sharing new memories and adventures with you all in 2025.

With much love,

LOUISE BEZZINA ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

From the CEO Following the success of 2023’s Festival, Brisbane Festival needed to make some big and bold statements in our 2024 offering.

When the Lord Mayor of Brisbane declared, ‘This is Brisbane’s graduation party!’ at the Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust party on the rooftop of Queen’s Wharf, we knew we had hit the mark.

What followed over the next three weeks was a rich and diverse program, curated beautifully by our Artistic Director and delivered impeccably by our team of professionals. Brisbane Festival 2024 continued to attract the desired response from the media, our corporate partners, our audiences, donors, government stakeholders and our artists.

In a year of existential challenges globally, here at home, we sought to provide platforms for challenging conversations, a dance floor to shake it all off, and delights to inspire and provoke.

Within our organisation, we grew better also. Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan was launched by Aunty Bridget Garay and Aunty Raelene Baker in August. The next generation of First Nations leaders were also announced, welcoming Ben Graetz, Danielle Ah Boo, Luke Peacock and Sharnee Hegarty to join the aforementioned Elders alongside Traditional Owner Shannon Ruska to form the Indigenous Advisory Group.

Our corporate partners continued to remain steadfast, with honourable mentions for our platinum partners Australian Retirement Trust and The Star Entertainment Group, our Community Engagement partners Airbnb and a big welcome to ANZ for their inaugural partnership this year. To our other 60+ corporate partners, we sincerely thank you for your investment and we are proud to align our brand and values alongside yours.

When arts organisations across the country are considering how to attract and support younger donors, our Giving Program responded with the formation of the Next Gen Giving Committee, chaired by Ashleigh Mansfield and supported by Jack Gallagher as Deputy Chair. Our donor group also continued to grow, and we

From all of us at Brisbane Festival, our Board of Directors and our team, Louise and I thank you for making Brisbane Festival 2024 another cracking success.

exceeded our fundraising target by over half a million dollars.

CHARLIE CUSH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

BRISBANE FESTIVAL ACKNOWLEDGES OUR JOINT PATRONS

Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM Governor of Queensland and Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD

1.8 MILLION

TOTAL AUDIENCE

AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

99,258

$7.4 MILLION

GROSS BOX OFFICE

107

13

2024 Snapshot

VISITORS TO BRISBANE

4

WORLD PREMIERES

1,304

PERFORMANCES GIVEN

QUEENSLAND PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIAN PREMIERES

23

NEW WORKS

70

158

542

FREE PERFORMANCES

FREE WORKSHOPS IN NEIGHBOURHOOD AND COMMUNITY CENTRES

1,774

1,387

304

SOLD OUT PERFORMANCES

TOTAL ARTISTS

QUEENSLAND ARTISTS

FIRST NATIONS ARTISTS

15% INCREASE

8.4%

15%

INCREASE IN O/NIGHT VISITOR EXPENDITURE

INCREASE IN TOTAL VISITOR NIGHTS

$2,348,897 74

RECORD PHILANTHROPIC INCOME

127

FESTIVAL PARTNERS

168 MILLION

VOLUNTEERS

MEDIA REACH

RIVERFIRE BY AUSTRALIAN RETIREMENT TRUST

373,400 #1 550,000 200+

CHANNEL 9’S TOTAL TV REACH (BROADCAST & BVOD) WATCHED PROGRAM OF THE NIGHT IN-PERSON ATTENDEES ALONG BRISBANE'S RIVER BANKS, BRIDGES, BARGES AND CITY ROOFTOPS

ORIGINAL JEAN PAUL GAULTIER COUTURE PIECES SHIPPED FROM PARIS

2

REAL LIFE MARRIAGE PROPOSALS AT TRENT DALTON’S LOVE STORIES

2024 Snapshot

$53,166,226

TOTAL GROSS ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF BRISBANE FESTIVAL

Brisbane Festival 2024

Brisbane Festival 2024 has made an extraordinary impact on the city, reflecting a vision that’s both Boldly Brisbane and globally resonant. Through the work of Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, the festival continues to firmly cement Brisbane as a cultural powerhouse, fostering community connection while positioning the city as a premier destination for the arts.

With the presentation of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show, Brisbane solidified its status as a cultural force with internationally acclaimed programming. A bold leap forward, this exclusive production positioned the city confidently alongside Australia’s major cultural hubs, showcasing its capacity to host world-class events that build reputation and visitation.

The Australian premiere of Volcano by Ireland’s Luke Murphy left audiences awestruck, as did the premiere of two vibrant new Australian productions, Johnathan Mills’ page-to-stage opera Eucalyptus, and the captivating Torres Strait Island musical Straight From The Strait.

Image by Lachlan Millard

Adding to the Festival’s acclaim was the runaway success and box office sell-out of Trent Dalton’s Love Stories, a poignant exploration of human connection that resonated deeply with audiences. The juggernaut GRIMM delighted viewers with its enchanting twists on beloved fairy tales. Together, these productions highlight Brisbane Festival’s reputation for producing unforgettable theatrical experiences and its commitment to showcasing diverse narratives while strengthening a vibrant cultural scene that speaks to both local and international audiences.

More than any other festival or event in Queensland, Brisbane Festival reaches into the hearts and lives of Queenslanders, transforming, innovating, healing, and inspiring.

Headline events Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust and Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent captivated hundreds of thousands, transforming Maiwar/ the Brisbane River and skyline into iconic stages that celebrated the city’s spirit.

The suburban-favourite concert series Brisbane Serenades brought together generations from across the city, and the flagship Neighbourhood Centres community program broke down barriers to the arts, nurturing transformative connections that gave participants new skills and confidence, along with relationships that will enrich lives long after Festival has concluded.

With a program that celebrates Brisbane’s distinctive setting, diverse community and creative ambition, Brisbane Festival continues to build a foundation that positions the city as an arts destination of choice set to welcome the world with open arms.

Images by Morgan Roberts

Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show

“Brisbane has always been behind Sydney and Melbourne as Australia’s No. 3 city, both in population and international renown.

But last week it trumped the other two to be the top choice of Jean Paul Gaultier, the international fashion icon.”

– New York Times

The stage shimmered with a blend of fearless brilliance as Brisbane became the exclusive Australian host for Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show — an audacious spectacle that raised the bar for pop culture entertainment nationwide.

Thanks to a nationally envied coup by Brisbane Festival’s Artistic Director, Louise Bezzina, this “lavish and fastpaced” (Arts Review) masterpiece chronicling fashion’s enfant terrible electrified audiences and set a new standard for cultural experiences.

Timed with global enthusiasm for the year of the Paris Olympics, Brisbane Festival transformed South Bank Piazza into a state-of-the-art venue where fashion, circus, burlesque and cabaret came alive. Audiences revelled in this “love letter to fashion geeks, theatre freaks, and the super chic” (Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane), creating an unforgettable moment that celebrated the city’s shimmering artistic landscape.

“Louise Bezzina has made Brisbane Festival one of the most significant and ambitious on the national calendar.”

– The Australian

The impact of the production cannot be underestimated. The collaboration between Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) was pivotal in elevating Queensland’s profile, showcasing the city as a cultural powerhouse on the international stage. By captivating artists and audiences alike, Brisbane Festival strengthened its place as a cultural trailblazer, embodying the vision of Boldly Brisbane and embracing international excellence while celebrating the city’s unique, inclusive identity.

As Brisbane moves toward the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, events like this shine a spotlight on the city’s evolving cultural landscape, creating experiences that are locally beloved and globally significant.

The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace

Grace Lillian Lee has etched her name into the Brisbane Festival history books as a defining figure of the 2024 season, where her groundbreaking multicultural artistry took centre stage across three monumental events.

Brisbane Festival was privileged to host Grace's first solo exhibition The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace, a vibrant tapestry of cultural expression and homage to lineage.

Known for her contemporary interpretation of traditional weaving practices, this collection showcased eight ethereal shields and armors, each evoking her totem, Koysemer (moth). From the symbolism of the Koysemer to her Chinese name, Yuklan (Jade Orchard), each piece narrates a story, incorporating lace patterns from her namesake’s blouse. Through this exhibition, Grace invited the exploration of shared human experiences, merging past and present in a captivating realm.

At Brisbane Quarter, Grace further showcased her artistry in a pop-up installation titled Exposed Resilience.

These full-body woven pieces, rooted in tradition yet strikingly modern, explored themes of strength, survival and cultural pride.

Facilitated by Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, Grace’s collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier in Paris resulted in a stunning couture piece that embodies strength and femininity. Worn live on stage during the Australian exclusive of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show, this transcendent work exemplifies the power of cross-cultural exchange and artistic innovation. This collaboration not only elevates Grace's artistry but also showcases the richness of Indigenous culture on a global stage, inspiring future generations of First Nations artists.

Image by Wendell Teodoro

“The showcase of my solo exhibitions, at the same time as working on traveling my solo show to Paris, is an alignment that is massive for my career. My dreams are just blown out of the water, all from Louise Bezzina’s creative vision.”

Image by Morgan Roberts

– Grace Lillian Lee, for InReview

Trent Dalton’s Love Stories

Love comes in many forms and all were on heart-aching display with the tender box office hit Trent Dalton’s Love Stories. The production was the runaway success story of the Brisbane Festival 2024 season, with raving sold-out audiences and no less than two live marriage proposals!

Co-produced by Brisbane Festival and QPAC, Love Stories embodies local stories and universal truths.

This connection with audiences has resulted in a new touring work and a full national tour in scoping. Brisbane Festival's world premiere was quickly followed by Townsville and upcoming Merrigong and Adelaide Festival seasons are already on sale for 2025.

Image by Craig Wilkinson

Extraordinary media coverage saw all eyes on Brisbane with in excess of 1500 media clips and an Advertising Space Rate of $1.9 million.

ATTENDEES (97% CAPACITY)

97.2%

AUDIENCE SATISFACTION RATING

25%

OF AUDIENCE HAD NEVER ATTENDED A SHOW AT QPAC PREVIOUSLY

“… Love Stories dives into the chaos of love — the joy, the pain, the laughter, the heartbreak — and comes out the other side a bit bruised, but perhaps wiser.

It’s a Brisbane story, yes, but it speaks beyond that city’s borders to grab you by the heart and give it a good shake…”

– The Guardian

Image by David Kelly

Dalton spent two months in 2021 gathering stories on his sky-blue 1960s Olivetti typewriter on a prominent street corner in Brisbane’s CBD. Speaking to Australians from all walks of life, he asked them one simple thing, ‘Can you please tell me a love story?’ And so, an exquisite match was made between the hometown hero and the people of Brisbane for a page-to-stage mainstage tear-jerker.

20,146

Image by James Henry

First Nations Work

Image by Murray Summerville

This year, Brisbane Festival championed an unprecedented celebration of First Nations voices, spotlighting Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through powerful, rich performances. The festival welcomed more than 304 First Nations artists to its stages, gathering communities and audiences to experience a dynamic and authentic array of works from mainstage productions and world premieres to installations and community workshops.

Straight From The Strait, a groundbreaking musical journey, transported audiences to the heart of Torres Strait Islander culture. This world premiere production fused traditional storytelling with contemporary performance and premiered after ten years of dreaming and development to sold-out and visibly moved audiences.

Big Name, No Blankets celebrated the legacy and impact of Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher and The Warumpi Band, the pioneering Aboriginal group who were the first rock band to sing in Aboriginal language. This production offered an electrifying tribute to their influence on Australian music history, uniting music lovers in a shared moment of musical and cultural reverence.

The after-dark wonderland and globally renowned Lightscape shone even more brightly for the two incredible sculptural installations created by Queensland First Nations artists Paul Bong (aka Bindur Bullin) and Michelle Yeatman. Having first mesmerised audiences at Shine On Gimuy Festival, it was Brisbane's turn to be entranced by the stunning Swords & Shields (Bong) and Jilgi Pots (Yeatman) light sculptures, reflecting the colours and beauty of Tropical North Queensland through the eyes and imaginations of First Nations artists. Local First Nations musician Luke Peacock added to the multisensory phenomenon, creating immersive soundscapes for multiple installations.

Guided by Brisbane Festival’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan, these productions exemplify the festival’s First Nations goal: to ensure genuine collaboration, provide significant investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works, and foster pathways for future arts leaders.

With the fierce debut of Alethea Beetson’s Meet Your Maker, the strident call to action of GURR ERA OP, the unbridled energy of Dear Brother, and the call to the dancefloor of Meeanjin Songlinez, Brisbane Festival created a dynamic space for Indigenous voices to be heard. Through these and other landmark works, audiences experienced the richness of First Nations culture in ways that were bold, moving, and unforgettable, cementing the festival’s role in celebrating and elevating First Nations arts.

“The blazing heart of Straight From The Strait is undeniable and it blends traditional, cultural, and contemporary song, dance, and language beautifully. This delightful new musical is an homage to the railway men who sacrificed home and family to seek out a better life, and this passion and energy is deeply felt in every part of the performance.”

– Limelight

“Meet Your Maker is undeniably so much more than a high-octane, pop-fuelled debut. With Beetson at the helm, it is a one-woman unmissable performance feat on steroids, without the steroids!”

– Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane

Image by David Kelly

Disability-Led Work

The 2024 season celebrated Brisbane Festival’s largest program of performances by artists with a disability, with stunningly thought-provoking, sometimes hilarious, and tender works delivered with clarity and compassion.

Lighting the Dark A masterpiece of collaboration between Chris Dyke, a dancer and choreographer living with Down Syndrome, and the mesmerising Dancenorth Ensemble, Lighting the Dark is a profound dance to the very centre of what it means to be human.

Inspired by Chris’ real-life heroes Banksy, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, this bold new work shone brightly on Chris’ profoundly moving and life-affirming adventure through the world. Throughout the work, each of these icons act as a mirror reflecting Chris’ expansive perception and limitless sense of possibility.

“[Chris Dyke’s] fertile imagination, wrapped up in his generosity of spirit and compassion, has been brought to the stage, in what is unabashedly a celebration of life.”

– Dance Australia

Private View Private View is an intimate exploration of unspoken stories and secret longing by dancers with and without disabilities from Restless Dance Theatre, Australia’s leading creator of dance theatre.

The subject of people with disability having romantic dreams and sexual desires is still considered taboo, but in the most inclusive fashion, Private View broke down societal myths and misinformation, setting the viewer on a path to twist preconceived attitudes around sexuality and disability.

Image by Matt Byrne

Invited to observe people in domestic spaces, liberated audiences were left floored as they were gifted a carefully crafted theatrical gem.

The No Bang Theory The No Bang Theory charmed sold-out audiences with the non-romantic comedy of the year from Brisbane's Matilda award-winning cabaret performer Oliver Hetherington-Page.

“The show itself is a delight, but it stands out against the current landscape of mainstream theatre — Hetherington-Page’s call to action for greater representation and platforming of neurodiverse artists within theatre spaces is a powerful act.”

– Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane

Image by Jade Ellis

Through mixing observational stand-up comedy with reworked musical theatre, Oliver debunked the myths of ‘cute’ autism perpetuated through popular culture with a heartbreaking, hilarious and authentic look at life on the autism spectrum.

Image by Billie Wilson-Coffey

Image by Finn Mullen

Program Highlights

BRIEFS FACTORY on The Art Boat

Eucalyptus — The Opera

Chartered and curated by the world-class BRIEFS FACTORY, The Art Boat was an unforgettable voyage tracing the iconic shape of Maiwar/the Brisbane River against the stunning backdrop of the ever-expanding city skyline. One of Brisbane’s finest exports set sail on multiple daily cruises for unmatched circus, drag, and burlesque performances.

Co-produced with Victoria Opera, Brisbane Festival welcomed the world premiere of Jonathan Mills’ new opera based on the Miles Franklin Award-winning novel Eucalyptus

by Murray Bail.

Evening extravaganzas were equally matched by family fun matinees, and the opportunity to experience uninterrupted views of Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust and Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent delighted audiences with near capacity outings.

Over 6,000 tickets sold for what was described as the party of the year, with multi-event experiences neatly tied in sequin knots as The Art Boat served as an irresistible gateway to ANZ Festival Garden, South Bank Piazza and QPAC.

World Premiere

Directed by esteemed Australian playwright Michael Gow with designs by Simone Romaniuk and the dramatic beauty of librettist Meredith Oakes, Eucalyptus is a beacon of Australian artistry built for the international stage.

This bold new work was presented in association with Opera Australia, Opera Queensland and Perth Festival.

“… a compelling fusion of Australian fairy tale and sonorous artistry.”

– AussieTheatre

– ArtsHub

As the lines of form and expectation became blurred, Luke Murphy’s four-part boundary-crossing Volcano came into clear focus as a standout festival performance and critics’ darling.

Ireland’s internationally renowned and on top-of-their-game Attic Projects explored the human condition, and as reputation and word of mouth grew, closed its season with a sold-out performance of “cerebral and highly technical theatre” (InReview).

Setting the standard for festival programming across the nation, Volcano was “everything you could want from a festival show — big on ambition and impact, flawlessly delivered, and resisting convention and easy categorisation” (Backstreet Brisbane).

“Haunting, evocative, captivating: Volcano is utterly brilliant, utterly utterly brilliant.”

– Nothing Ever Happens In Brisbane

Image by Joel Devereux

Image by Emilija Jefremova

Australian Premiere

GRIMM

World Premiere In the context of an ever more ghoulish and challenging arts and events industry, the dark fairy tales and standout success of GRIMM served as a sweeter bedtime story.

Adapted by Nelle Lee, directed by Dan Evans and costume designed by Australian fashion icon Paul McCann, GRIMM is the latest tour de force from Shake & Stir Theatre Co, the company behind the award-winning stage spectacles Frankenstein, Jane Eyre and A Christmas Carol.

Emerging from the shadows, the truth behind this story — warts and all — was an out-andout box office smash, as a sold-out run and more than 10,000 audience members boiled and bubbled to the surface.

Program Highlights

Volcano

Across five unforgettable outdoor concerts, families, friends and neighbours came together from north to south, sharing in the joy of music, creativity and community. Brisbane Serenades has become the beating heart of Brisbane Festival, bringing the party to the people and lighting up every corner of the city.

Moorooka Block Party

Urging connection and positivity, Moorooka Block Party transformed Peggs Park into a carnival of celebratory sounds with Australia’s finest First Nations and World Music performers coming together for an afternoon of high-spirited celebrations. Moorooka Block Party’s sense of community and purpose emanates from the park and is felt far beyond its postcode.

St. Lucia Serenades

Image by Mellumae

Brisbane Serenades

Back for its fifth year, Brisbane Serenades brought the magic of live music to neighbourhoods across the city with five unforgettable outdoor concerts.

St. Lucia Serenades was not only a celebration of alternative music and cultural voices, but the official opening of one of Brisbane’s newest stages, The University of Queensland’s new scenic Dr Mary Mahoney AO Lakeside Amphitheatre. Known for its campus culture, students, friends and families soaked up an afternoon headlined by the award-winning independent artist Jaguar Jonze and supported by the stunningly talented First Nations vocalist Kristal West.

Image by Lewis Bin Doraho

Voices of Victoria Park

New to 2024, Voices of Victoria Park activated the freshly revealed Spring Hill Common, an exciting new public space at one of the city’s most picturesque green spaces. Lifelong classical music aficionados and curious newcomers stepped into the tranquil embrace of Victoria Park for an afternoon of exquisite classical music. Showcasing the established and the emerging, the impressive lineup was led by the dynamic coloratura soprano of Katie Stenzel.

Pasifika Made

Image by Joanna Borgiel

Pasifika Made amplified the voices of Polynesian, Melanesian, Micronesian, Māori and Indigenous artists. A dynamic line up of artists lit the stages of Wally Tate Park in the spirit of the Moana. Siva and Hula dance workshops and weaving added to festivities leaving attendees inspired and connected to the islands.

Portside Serenades

Portside Wharf was home to Portside Serenades, a vibrant evening of Carnival style jazz, designed for jazz lovers of all stripes. And with the weekly pop-up music night Friday Feels, Spectrum of Happiness (the interactive swing powered by shared moments of joy), and a packed screening of Jean Paul Gaultier: Freak & Chic at Dendy Theatre, Portside is Festival’s buzzing northside hub.

Powered by its partners and donors, Brisbane Serenades is an accessible and inclusive program where national and grassroots talent meet and communities come to sing, dance and connect. The series will return in 2025 to a much-loved gathering place near you.

5

LOCATIONS

PEGGS PARK, MOOROOKA THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND, ST. LUCIA VICTORIA PARK, SPRING HILL WALLY TATE PARK, KURABY PORTSIDE WHARF, HAMILTON

16,686 ATTENDEES

32

PERFORMANCES

Image by Billie Wilson-Coffey

Communities

Brisbane Festival’s commitment to community engagement is unmatched among Australian festivals, with outreach that touches the lives of locals and creates participatory access for communities.

The Neighbourhood Centres program, the lively Common People Dance Eisteddfod, and the inclusive Us And All Of This brought Brisbane’s diverse communities to the heart of the festival experience.

Neighbourhood Centres stretched across eleven community spaces throughout the city, connecting communities and creating access points for people of all backgrounds to participate in and enjoy the arts.

This co-designed program matches artists with neighbourhood centres that echo the needs and dreams of their community. In 2024, we were thrilled to bring experienced community artists Yani Mills, Jungaji, Bring a Plate and Fashion Collab to these spaces. Performance outcomes ranged from community choir days to a main stage takeover of the Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show runway for the fabulous and adaptive Be Iconic fashion show.

Back for its fifth season, the joyous Common People Dance Eisteddfod brought hundreds of residents together to learn, dance and celebrate. Created for everyday Brisbanites under the helm of dance captain Neridah Waters, these performances transformed stages into places where friends, families, and neighbours cheer each other on in celebration of dance and community.

The Us And All Of This workshops and performances invited deep engagement in a thoughtfully accessible creative group movement. Over two afternoons at the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse forecourt, one hundred participants presented a beautiful act of radical slowness and moving meditation.

These programs create pathways for cultural participation that ripple outward, cultivating pride, connection and joy that last far beyond festival season. Brisbane Festival’s community focus reaches neighbourhoods, enriches lives, and creates inroads to the arts for those that would otherwise not be able to experience it.

Image by Billie Wilson-Coffey

11 Image by Tai Bobongie

ANNERLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE BARDON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE BENARRAWA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION KURILPA KIOSK AT PEOPLE'S PARK, WHOOPEE-DO CREW KYABRA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION PICABEEN COMMUNITY CENTRE QUT LIBRARY, KELVIN GROVE THE SOCIAL SPACE, MOOROOKA WEST END COMMUNITY HOUSE YERONGA COMMUNITY CENTRE ZILLMERE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Image by Jade Ellis

NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES

70

FREE WORKSHOPS

1,973 PARTICIPANTS

Image by Jye Halliwell

With a reputation as one of the most electrifying displays in Australia, Brisbane’s most colourful night has long been a favourite for locals and overnight visitors. This year, Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust drew 550,000 in-person attendees with an additional 373,400 viewers across Channel Nine’s exclusive television coverage, further enhancing Brisbane’s night of nights as the landmark celebration of the year.

Image by Mellumae

Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust

Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust not only ushered in Brisbane Festival 2024 but a new era for the city at large with the opening of the highly anticipated Queen’s Wharf. As The Star's facade illuminated pink and counted down, the city dazzled in technicolour as a new landmark was added to its iconic skyline.

Image by JD Lin

ANZ Festival Garden, South Bank promenade and Queen’s Wharf experienced capacity crowds of 67,500 as 400 drones dazzled over Brisbane’s skyline with the spectacular storytelling of The Rainbow Serpent.

This First Nations dreamtime story as told by Traditional Owner and Tribal Experiences Managing Director Shannon Ruska, was brought to life through a carefully choreographed drone performance with original sound composition by Guy Webster.

For three spectacular nights, Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent was a larger-than-life highlight and a bright and bold celebration of culture and place.

Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent

Back by popular demand following last year’s Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale, the threedimensional multicolour drone show returned to close out Brisbane Festival 2024.

Accessibility

Disability-led work was central to the Brisbane Festival 2024 program, reinforcing our commitment to proactively identifying and programming Festival-ready works by d/Deaf and disabled artists.

Leading productions Lighting the Dark, Private View, Rachel Burke’s Fancy Long Legs and The No Bang Theory offered audiences new perspectives and the communities-led Brisbane Serenades and Neighbourhood Centres program, including a 400-strong audience for the adaptive fashion takeover of Be Iconic, addressed barriers to inclusion by providing conditions for people with disability to actively participate in the festival.

The Disability-Led Work in the Spotlight panel gathered at Studio 1 to celebrate and interrogate work with, by, and for the disabled community.

Access Arts’ Tim Brown and an exciting line-up of Brisbane Festival artists including Michelle Ryan (Private View), Maddie Little (Undercover Artist Festival), Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers (Hot Brown Honey) and Annika Strand (Be Iconic), connected for an intimate conversation about their practice, making waves in the disability arts sector, accessible pathways for disabled artists, and the future of accessible work in national and international festivals.

Image by Jade Ellis

In 2023, with the support of our Accessibility Partner Choice Passion Life (CPL), Brisbane Festival launched its Disability and Inclusion Action Plan, a transformative plan dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to and participation in all aspects of the festival.

2024 saw growth in the festival’s access and inclusion goals, with the launch of the inaugural Accessibility Guide. The accessible program guide, designed in black and white and in large print, was a substantial development in enhancing an accessible marketing toolkit and providing audiences with alternative sources for information. Available in digital and print formats, the Accessibility Guide proudly uplifted our current practices, and a digital feedback form was provided to harness our community's expertise and maximise future iterations and outcomes.

Another festival first saw Brisbane Festival become a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, an internationally recognised initiative supporting people with non-visible disabilities.

Brisbane Festival staff and volunteers were trained to understand how to support people who wear the Sunflower, as we continue to increase engagement and participation and develop a culture of respect and understanding.

In 2025, we look forward to our continued association and support for Undercover Artist Festival, Australia’s premier biennial disability-led performing arts festival. As we celebrate its 10th anniversary, Brisbane Festival will harness its theme to ‘Push It’ and continue to develop an inclusive and accessible celebration of arts and culture.

Access and Inclusion Partner

Image by Jade Ellis

This year, in partnership with Arts Queensland, Brisbane Festival delivered 16 professional placements for diverse candidates across multiple teams, including access and diversity, technical production and site design.

to be attached to the wardrobe department of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show, a unique opportunity for these emerging arts practitioners to work on the prestigious fashion event.

These roles were more than job opportunities, they embodied our commitment to equitable access and skill-building, providing handson experience to emerging talent, including positions for First Nations artsworkers and individuals from neurodiverse and disabled communities. Through targeted mentorship and development, these placements actively supported our strategic goals to elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, promote diverse industry pathways, and contribute to a culturally inclusive festival environment.

Additionally, Brisbane Festival collaborated with SAE Creative Media Institute, engaging their recent graduates to capture the essence of our Communities program. These students documented workshops and performance outcomes, gaining practical, high-profile experience in content creation for a major arts event. This partnership not only nurtured new talent but also allowed the festival to archive the incredible stories of our program, showcasing the impact of Brisbane Festival’s community-driven initiatives.

Examples of projects include attaching three identified positions to the world premiere of Blak Social’s Meet Your Maker, providing opportunity for First Nations creatives as well as technicians to develop their skills and build professional networks. Another example is the opportunity for three local artsworkers

Through these capacity-building efforts, Brisbane Festival continues to set itself apart as a festival dedicated to inclusivity, collaboration, and meaningful professional development, enriching Queensland’s creative industries and leaving a legacy that echoes well beyond the 2032 Olympics.

Capacity Building

At Brisbane Festival, capacity building is woven into our core, reflecting our commitment to supporting a robust, inclusive arts ecosystem and fostering professional growth within Queensland’s creative industries.

Image by Mellumae

CASE STUDY

Partnerships

ANZ

ANZ joined the Brisbane Festival Partner family in 2024 as a Major Precinct Partner, turning the festival’s central hub into an aviary for the curious and the spirited.

Enjoyed by nearly 400,000 festival patrons, this highprofile pop-up destination enhanced the visitor experience while providing an opportunity for ANZ to engage with current and prospective customers in a creative way.

Known for protecting Australians from fraud, the ANZ Falcon took festival-goers under its protective wing, providing a safe haven of Falcon nests and festoon lighting to relax and enjoy festivities. ANZ customer fast lanes were integrated as attendees enjoyed a range of culinary and artistic experiences, and its unique setting provided prime viewing for the festival’s major community events Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust and Skylore – the Rainbow Serpent.

Under the immersive glow of the multiplayer light installation ChronoHARP and a stage for key festival programming, for 20 days and nights ANZ Festival Garden was a riverside place of celebration and entry point to the wonder of Festival.

383,781

ATTENDEES AT ANZ FESTIVAL GARDEN

17,938

PATRONS AT SOUTH BANK PIAZZA

66% SPONSOR RECALL PROMOTER 30.3 NET SCORE

CASE STUDY

Westfield Chermside Westfield Chermside returned as a Gold Partner of Brisbane Festival, marking the second year of collaboration as presenting Partner of the Satellite Stage Program.

Led by Claudia Williams, a 5-day ‘reuse, remake, rethink’ circular fashion workshop resulted in 460 participants creating new artworks from 90 bags of donated recycled clothing from Westfield’s onsite UPPAREL collection points. The new works were then displayed within the centre as the artist-created No-Waste Wardrobe series, and a special Sip & Swap Soiree event followed with 69 patrons exchanging clothing.

Due to the overwhelming success of the Brisbane Festival activation at the centre, Westfield Chermside was awarded the ‘Most Compelling Experience Award’ at the Shopping Centre Council of Australia Marketing Awards.

CASE STUDY

The University of Queensland In 2024, The University of Queensland joined as the festival’s Inaugural Education Partner.

Opening the Mary Mahoney AO Amphitheatre in the revitalised UQ Lakes parklands, St. Lucia Serenades provided a unique stage for the western suburbs community to engage with a dynamic program of performances that included students, alumni and visiting artists.

ANZ Festival Garden. Image by Mellumae.

The University attracted new audiences and fostered community engagement through a series of inspiring co-presented panel events, including True Stories: The Power of Authenticity and Opportunity (Trent Dalton, Jaguar Jonze) and Genetics of Taste: Exploring the Art and Science of Flavour (Dr Daniel Hwang, Elizabeth Willing).

These events provided a platform for thought-provoking dialogue, bridging the arts and sciences and drawing attendees into UQ’s culture of curiosity and discovery.

Image by Mellumae

By supporting Brisbane Festival's growing program of First Nations-led productions, including leading productions GURR ERA OP and Big Name, No Blankets, the University affirmed its commitment to reconciliation, helping to amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, promoting understanding and respect across its community.

Image by Morgan Roberts

Giving Program

The Giving Program emphatically highlights community connection, collective generosity, ambition and innovation, delivering meaningful impact and tangible outcomes for Brisbane Festival artists and audiences.

Artistic Director Louise Bezzina’s bold vision has inspired ever increasing philanthropic support and this year’s program was no exception.

Brisbane Festival 2024 invited audiences to 'Find Your Fit' amongst a plethora of extraordinary cultural experiences. Our devoted donors were quick to accept the opportunity, not only investing in Brisbane Festival through the Giving Program, but also engaging deeply with our artists by following creative developments, buying tickets to productions for themselves and their friends, attending an extensive repertoire of diverse work and enjoying all that Brisbane in September has to offer. Festival donors continue to be the greatest champions of our Giving Program and for that we are truly grateful.

Philanthropic income achieved another recordbreaking result with over $2.3M received from 149 donors. This year, an incredible 30 projects were made possible by donors to the Giving Program, a significant increase on the 23 works supported in 2023. Brisbane Festival acknowledges the incredible impact that your giving has and recognises the significant outcomes for the whole community.

Welcoming new donors to the 2024 Giving Program was such a joy, and we are also grateful that many returning supporters recognised the need and increased their contributions.

Philanthropic income grew by over 36% ($631,290 more than last year). Festival donors once again responded positively to our end of financial year campaign, with thanks to our dedicated Giving Committee Members, who collectively matched donations dollar for dollar to a total of over $606,581. The Giving Program attracted support through two giving circles established by Board Deputy Chair and Giving Committee Member Philip Bacon AO and Giving Committee Deputy Chair Courtney Talbot who enthusiastically backed our productions of Eucalyptus — The Opera and Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show, cultivating syndicates of donors that ensured these works could premiere in Brisbane.

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the phenomenal Giving Committee, led by Chair Justice Thomas Bradley, and thank you for your guidance and stewardship. We could not have achieved such a successful Brisbane Festival 2024 without you. We would also like to recognise our brilliant Next Gen Committee for instigating an inspiring new initiative providing an exciting arts philanthropy pathway in Brisbane.

The Giving Program plays a crucial role in enabling Brisbane Festival to commission new works and ensuring that artistic programming remains accessible to all.

Brisbane Festival’s philanthropy strategy focuses on engaging our community through purposeful communications and an array of enriching events. From the series of Giving Program eNews to a suite of fundraising functions held throughout the year, these initiatives serve as the cornerstone of our connection with our cherished supporters.

We are also delighted to offer Brisbane Festival ticketing and hospitality services exclusively to donors through the VIP Concierge which this year was even better than ever before.

“Public performance of creative work invites us to see our world through other eyes, to understand experiences of others, to feel their emotions, and even re-imagine ourselves. These opportunities encourage us to be more thoughtful, humane, and practical. By small and large steps, they help build a more confident, creative, and inclusive community. They have the potential to brighten lives, encourage responsibility, build commitment, fortify families, and strengthen our nation.”

– Justice Thomas Bradley

“BrisFest 2024 was simply wonderful and filled with joy and happiness. The level of surprise within the festival program continues to amaze, shining a light on Brisbane’s ever-growing appreciation for the arts with mesmerising world-class shows that showcased awe-inspiring talent and creativity from the shores of South Bank to the stars above."

- Margot McLay and Russell Mann

Image by Lewis Bin Doraho

Image by Joanna Borgiel

Image by Joanna Borgiel

The Giving Program has grown from strength to strength and we are so grateful for your continued support. 2025 marks 10 years since Brisbane Festival first achieved DGR status and started accepting donations.

We will celebrate this milestone next year when we surpass a cumulative $10M in philanthropic income (2015-2025). We will honour and reflect on the donors and artists who have joined us along this journey of impact and outcomes, and we will set our philanthropic vision for the next ten years of the Giving Program, ensuring a bright future for Brisbane Festival.

Image by Lucy Kelland

Image by Jade Ellis

Image by Jade Ellis

– Tamara Fahy

Image by Jade Ellis

Image by Finn Mullen Image by Lucy Kelland

Image by Lucy Kelland Image by Lucy Kelland

“Brisbane Festival celebrates the arts by embracing local and global creativity and presenting a program that is filled to the brim with exemplary quality.

It elevates our city through its performances, installations and artists and the impressive array of those who support the arts.

All are welcomed warmly, and the inclusivity enriches us. Brisbane Festival is a treasure. We are thrilled to be a part of it all.”

Image by Government House Queensland

The generosity of Festival donors was crucial in delivering the following key programming this year.

Adrift ANZ Festival Garden Paul, Susan & Kate Taylor

Big Name, No Blankets Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC

BRIEFS FACTORY — on The Art Boat

Moorooka Block Party

Carolyn Vincent — Ubuntu Foundation

Neighbourhood Centres

Carolyn Vincent — Ubuntu Foundation

Pasifika Made

Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC and Haymans Electrical

Portside Serenades

Brisbane Serenades

Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC and Haymans Electrical

Camerata, Lou Bennett & Lior: Ngapa William Cooper

Ian & Cass George

Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC and Haymans Electrical

Ian & Cass George

ChronoHARP

Paul, Susan & Kate Taylor

Eucalyptus — The Opera

Philip Bacon's Eucalyptus Syndicate, and Carol Colburn Grigor CBE

GRIMM

Philip Bacon AO

GURR ERA OP

Carolyn Vincent — Ubuntu Foundation

Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show Courtney Talbot's JPG Syndicate

Kitchen Studio Lighting the Dark

Liz Pidgeon & Graeme Wikman, Siganto Foundation and Jodie Siganto

Lightscape Philip Bacon AO

Merrick Watts: An Idiot's Guide to Wine — Volume Two

Private View

Rachel Burke's Fancy Long Legs Dalwood-Wylie Charitable Foundation

Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent

Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC and Philip Bacon AO

Spectrum of Happiness at Portside Wharf St. Lucia Serenades

Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC and Haymans Electrical

The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC

The No Bang Theory Trent Dalton's Love Stories Wilson Foundation

Voices of Victoria Park

Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC and Haymans Electrical

Volcano

Tim Fairfax AC & Gina Fairfax AC and Philip Bacon AO

Write Your Heart Out Ian & Cass George

Giving Program

The Giving Program supports areas of need within artistic programming, creating opportunities for local artists, commissioning new work and ensuring access for all through reduced-priced tickets and free events.

THANK YOU! We are extraordinarily grateful to have received such profound and ongoing support from our donors. A heartfelt thank you to our generous Festival donors for backing Brisbane Festival 2024.

GAME CHANGERS Philip Bacon AO Tim Fairfax AC and Gina Fairfax AC COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS Ian and Cass George Haymans Electrical Shaun and Sue Kenny Paul, Susan and Kate Taylor Carolyn Vincent - Ubuntu Foundation Wilson Foundation

Giving Program

FESTIVAL AMBASSADORS Harding Philanthropy Liz Pidgeon and Graeme Wikman

PHILIP BACON’S EUCALYPTUS SYNDICATE Anonymous x 2 Philip Bacon AO Helen and Michael Gannon Foundation Shaun and Sue Kenny Gretel Packer AM Liz Pidgeon and Graeme Wikman Mrs Diana and Mr Gary Willemsen Lyn Williams AM

HIGH COMMISSIONERS Anonymous x 2 Justice Thomas Bradley and Dr Matthew Yoong Conscious Capital Dalwood-Wylie Charitable Foundation Frazer Family Foundation Helen and Michael Gannon Foundation Simon and Prue George Cate Heyworth-Smith KC and Dr Ben Duke Kim and Michael Hodge Dr Susan and Andrew King - ASHER Capital Mather Foundation Simon and Nicole Morrison Gretel Packer AM Kevin and Laura Perkins Ben and Fiona Poschelk Siganto Foundation Jodie Siganto Courtney Talbot Michele and Michael Taylor Phillip, Marisa and Bella Vecchio Simon White and Chanelle Simpson Mrs Diana and Mr Gary Willemsen Lyn Williams AM

COURTNEY TALBOT’S JPG SYNDICATE Judith Cush Rhyll Gardner and Rusty Graham Ian and Cass George Rod and Judy Pilbeam Ray White Collective Courtney Talbot Phillip, Marisa and Bella Vecchio Simon White and Chanelle Simpson

If you would like to become involved with the Giving Program by making a tax-deductible donation to Brisbane Festival, please contact Head of Philanthropy Fabienne Cooke via philanthropy@brisbanefestival.com.au

THE COMMISSIONERS Antoinette Aquilina and Gary Hutchins Louise Bezzina Virginia Bishop Andrew and Katrina Carrick Kim Challenor Brett Clark AM Marshall and Fabienne Cooke Heidi and James Cooper Sheryl Cornack Drs Frank and Ailbhe Cunningham Charlie and Alicia Cush Jamie and Kate Duffield Tamara and Jack Fahy Rhyll Gardner and Rusty Graham Marian Gibney Amanda and Jeff Griffin Valmay Hill and Russell Mitchell Drs Elizabeth Hodge and Daniel Hagley Susan Learmonth and Bernard Curran David Lyons Libby Mackay Annie and Stuart Macnaughton Brendon Mann and Brendan Smith Amanda Newbery The Hon Anthe Philippides Dare and Andrea Power Liam and Sarah Prescott Anna Reynolds and Ian O’Connor Dr Kieran Rowe and Suzie Rowe Shepherd Family Foundation Penelope Slogrove Alison Smith Stack Family Foundation Tony and Linda Young Jenny Usher and Peter Good

THE INDEPENDENTS Michael Adams Isabel Brew Melissa Brown Ingrid Costello Harley and Prue Dalton - Altor Capital Pty Ltd Tai Harvey Michelle Boyd Andrew Hoare KC Sonia Holiday - Motorola Rentals Joli Boutique Belinda Litster Sally Mitchell Ross Molloy and Cath Nicholson Stewart Moore Jodie-Anne Mouritz Naomi Murphy Tim and Katie Pack Lois Penney and Stuart Birkbeck John William Smithwick Andrea and Craig Templeman Ewen and Tina Thompson Judy and David Usher Sarah Zeljko BFFS Anonymous x 4 Andrew Battersby Brisbane Fashion Festival Alissa Bermingham Larry Crump Bertie Cush Tilly Cush Neve Daniel Mary Dickinson Marty Evans Michael Fairbairn Jack Gallagher Connor Gass Isabella Gass Zoe Graham Ashleigh Mansfield Ashleigh Marshall Justine McCarthy Michael Morris Dr Mellissa Naidoo Janelle Rayner Eva-Marie Seeto Liz Ward

Giving Program

CREATIVE CHAMPIONS Andrew Baker and Louisa Taliacos The Hon Justice Sue Brown and Lisa Worner Judith Cush John and Holly Livingstone Russell Mann and Margot McLay James and Prue Pateras Judy and Rod Pilbeam Ray White Collective Ward Family Foundation Penny J Wolff and Peter J Wolff

Marketing & Publicity

Social Media & Web WEBSITE PAGE VIEWS

EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS

INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

X (TWITTER) FOLLOWERS

LINKEDIN FOLLOWERS

3,803,248

150,218 90% Increase

116,561

61,379 7.3% Increase

171,300

13,304 10% Increase

TIKTOK FOLLOWERS

1287 15.6 % increase (NEW CHANNEL STARTED IN 2023) 369,828

3.36% Increase FOLLOWERS ACROSS ALL BRISFEST PLATFORMS

5,786,694

IMPRESSIONS ACROSS ALL CHANNELS

2,524,500

32.87% Increase FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS REACHED

Air Canada competition

72,930 COMPETITION ENTRIES 63,743 NET DATABASE GROWTH

5,891

INTERSTATE/ NATIONAL CLIPS

Media coverage by media type

A TOTAL OF

8,133

MEDIA CLIPS

5,526

SYNDICATED ARTICLES

ASR VALUE OF

$12.1 Million 32.1% Increase

National coverage

8,133 TOTAL

4,543

TV

1,685

ONLINE & SOCIAL

1,401

RADIO

316

INFLUENCER SOCIAL

140 PRINT 48 MAGAZINE Earned media only. Please note, advertising mentions such as Triple M and B105 were excluded from reporting to provide a transparent view of earned radio results.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, VOGUE AUSTRALIA, LIMELIGHT, THE AUSTRALIAN, THE COURIER MAIL, THE SUNDAY AGE, BRISBANE TIMES, AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW, AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLER, INQUEENSLAND, NINE NEWS, TODAY SHOW, ABC RADIO, QANTAS

Highest volume of coverage nationally

Foundation Partners

Brisbane Festival is an initiative of the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council

Festival Partners

Strategic Partners

Platinum Partners

Community Engagement Partner

Access and Inclusion Partner

Education Partner

Major Precinct Partners

Gold Partners

Chermside

Silver Partners

Event Partners

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Charlie Cush

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Louise Bezzina

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anna Reynolds Philip Bacon AO Kim Challenor David Lyons Simon Morrison Amanda Newbery Anna Palmer Michelle Tuahine Graeme Wikman

Chair Deputy Chair

Fabienne Cooke Kym Warner Rachael Rigg Min Collie-Holmes Bella Ford Tim Pack Charlie Sayer Justine Robins

TECHNICAL

Head of Philanthropy Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary Head of Strategic Development Executive Producer Head of Programming Technical Director Marketing and Communication Director Administration Manager

Aunty Raelene Rallah-Baker (Warrunghu) Yuggera, Birri, Girramay nations

Richard Clarke Belinda Binnington Jason Waide Maggie May Blake Howson Christophe Broadway Liz Suess Jared McCulla Jacob Wall Alice Headlam

Shannon Ruska Yuggera, Toorabul

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

INDIGENOUS ADVISORY GROUP

Aunty Bridget Garay Kemer Kemer Meriam Nation Ben Graetz Malak Malak, Kungarakan, Muran Clan (Iwaidja), Torres Strait Islands (Badu Island) Danielle Ah Boo Samsep, Dhoeybaw, Maluligal and Kulkalgal

Alex Woodward Jared Mifsud Georgie Beauchamp Alan Jenner Lizzie Moore

Sharnee Hegarty Gunggari and Wulkurukaba

GIVING COMMITTEE

The Hon Justice Thomas Bradley Courtney Talbot Philip Bacon AO Andrew Baker Heidi Cooper David Lyons Anna Palmer Ben Poschelk Paul Taylor

Chair Deputy Chair

NEXT GEN GIVING COMMITTEE Ashleigh Mansfield Jack Gallagher Alissa Bermingham Tom Peabody Bianca Wylie Phoebe Zavros

Nadia Jade Mark Sutton James Armstrong Lucy Rayner-Toy Mel Chan Tayla Forbes Aleasha Vekaria Caitlin Fraser Laura Thomas

Chair Deputy Chair

PROGRAMMING Simon Mula Sanja Simić Mayella Dewis-Koroi Laura McCabe Angela Hicks Natasha Phillips Eleanor Miller Jess Summit Brodie Peace Rae Anderson Nathan Mills Francesca Cross Feena Callinan Sue-Anne Chapman Belinda Brown Stephanie Suess Magdalena Franco

FINANCE

Lorelle Edwards Claire Hooper

AGENCIES

Aruga Bigfish Dowling Design Bolster PHD Media Josh Mcintosh

Production Manager WHS Manager Technical Manager Technical Manager/Acting Production Manager Technical Manager Operations Manager Assistant Production Manager Technical Coordinator Operations Coordinator Technical Coordinator

Marketing Manager Brand and Content Manager Business Systems and Ticketing Manager Digital Content Lead Marketing Coordinator - Communities Digital Marketing Coordinator Digital Marketing Coordinator Ticketing Coordinator Box Office Coordinator

PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT

Luke Peacock Erub and Meriam

Festival Team

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Publicity Brand & Website Graphic Design Digital Advertising Advertising Site Design

PHILANTHROPY Jenny Usher Jessica Simon

Senior Partnerships Executive Partnerships and Engagement Executive Partnerships and Engagement Coordinator Event Manager Event Manager

Creative Producer Creative Producer Creative Producer Production Coordinator Producer Producer Producer Production Administrator Associate Producer Associate Producer Associate Producer Associate Producer Associate Producer Logistics Coordinator Signage and Site Design Coordinator Venue Manager (South Bank) Front of House Manager (South Bank)

Finance Assistant Finance Consultant

Senior Philanthropy Coordinator Philanthropy Administrator

ADMINISTRATION Stewart McPherson Christy Wright Genevieve Hitzke Joanne Cosgriff

Executive Assistant Volunteer Coordinator Volunteer Assistant HR Systems Transformation

Image by Morgan Roberts

BRISBANE FESTIVAL Festival House, L2, 381 Brunswick Street PO Box 384, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 07 3833 5400 brisbanefestival.com.au reception@brisbanefestival.com.au facebook.com/BrisbaneFestival instagram.com/brisbanefestival tiktok.com/@brisbanefestival