Recommendations for Brisbane’s cultural future
By Lucy O’Driscoll and Alix Smith with contributions from Bec Mac, Amrita Hepi, Adam Scott of FreeState, Dilshani Weerasinghe and discussion from John ‘JC’ Collins.
Why performance is the untapped lever that could transform Brisbane into a world-class cultural city.
A cultural revolution is underway in Brisbane on Yuggera and Turrbal Country. As the city prepares to take the global stage for the 2032 Olympics, the role of arts and culture is more important than ever in driving economic, social, and cultural change. These elements are essential to Brisbane’s commitments as part of its cultural Olympiad and its long-term legacy goals.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen a resurgence in art and performance, new cultural precincts and more creative spaces. With this momentum, Brisbane has a chance not only to be a host city, but to elevate itself as a world-class cultural destination.
The benefits of performance and culture go far beyond entertainment.
Globally, cities that embrace the arts aren’t just more vibrant — they’re wealthier, healthier, and more connected.
Culture increases social cohesion, strengthens the local economy, and fosters a distinct identity that attracts people and investment alike.
At Hassell, we’ve seen how creating space for culture can transform communities. From designing and building an arts centre inside one of the world’s largest refugee camps in Uganda, to our vision for transforming Melbourne Arts Precinct’s public realm with spaces for outdoor performance, we know the power of cultural spaces to inspire, heal and connect.
Brisbane residents are hungry for a city that fully celebrates and supports the arts. We have the audience, the talent and the climate. Now, we just need a bolder approach to bring culture to the forefront of city life.
This challenge sparked a recent symposium with some of Australia’s leading thinkers across performance, arts and the built environment. From that conversation, we’ve outlined 10 recommendations that could help Brisbane embrace the power of performance to unite and inspire – by challenging the perceived limitations of time and space.
We owe it to Brisbane to develop an approach as unique as our subtropical climate — a city life that balances natural beauty with a dynamic, inspiring and inclusive built environment
1. FORGET THE MATINEE AND EMBRACE THE SOIREE
With Brisbane’s mild evenings, why are so few performances held at night? If we really want to amplify a nighttime economy in Brisbane, let’s stretch our perception of time and schedule some performances for 10pm. A robust nighttime culture would create a cascade of benefits, supporting local businesses, energising empty streets, and turning public spaces into lively hubs.
“A thriving arts scene is also part of making a city a safer,” says creative director and artist, Bec Mac. “By activating public spaces with cultural events and artistic interventions we foster a sense of community and inclusivity, making these spaces more welcoming and secure, especially for women and marginalised groups.”
Imagine a nighttime economy flourishing alongside artistic events, transforming Brisbane’s evenings from quiet to electric — an experience accessible to all.
2. BREAK FREE OF THE BLACK BOX AND ACTIVATE THE STREETS
Right now, too much of our art lives behind walls in galleries and theatres. Imagine if we took it outside?
Let’s stretch our perception of space, and which spaces are appropriate for cultural expression, by bringing performance out onto the streets. From parks to promenades or even the riverfront — Brisbanites and visitors alike can stumble upon performances in unexpected places. “With the demise of the music festival it’s proven that the way we consume culture has shifted and we need to respond to that,” says Bec Mac. As single households, isolation and loneliness grow, public spaces animated by performance can foster connection and help us rediscover our sense of community.
3. GIVE PEOPLE PERMISSION TO LINGER
We don’t always need to overthink it. Sometimes, creating public spaces that welcome small acts of cultural expression can be created using devices as simple as offering shade or seating which gives people permission to occupy a space for longer.
4. RADICALLY REASSESS HOW WE VALUE CULTURE, WHAT WE PARTICIPATE IN, AND WHAT WE GIVE OUR ATTENTION TO
“There’s a misconception that culture is made only by artists, but it’s in all our hands,” says artist and choreographer, Amrita Hepi. “It’s about how we form cities and spaces with cultural values in mind.” For designers, that could mean helping provide free and accessible spaces for artists to develop their work. For policymakers, it could be about shaping decisions that prioritise cultural value. For everyone, it’s about choosing wisely how we spend our time, what we give our attention to, or what we participate in. We need everyday people – not just artists – to advocate for, see and believe in the importance of culture.
5. EMBRACE THE WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING CULTURE
Australia — and Brisbane in particular — has the potential to be a beacon of cultural innovation. As former Bangarra Dance Theatre member and Jacob (Jake) Nash once remarked, the city can become “the centre of the cultural universe.” The recent success of Brisbane-based artist Archie Moore, who won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, is a testament to this potential. Brisbane is already recognised as a leader on the global stage; now, it must recognise itself as one.
6. SET AMBITIOUS CULTURAL GOALS FOR THE OLYMPICS AND BEYOND
Brisbane’s investment in the 2032 Olympics presents an unparalleled opportunity to shape the city’s cultural legacy. To achieve this, targets for cultural participation must be established well beyond the Games themselves. Forming a local multidisciplinary creative steering committee now — comprising artists, cultural operators, policymakers, designers, and developers — will ensure a holistic approach to these goals. This collaboration can harness the Olympics as a catalyst for long-term cultural growth, embedding creativity and community engagement into Brisbane’s future.
7. DESIGNING FOR GROWTH? MAKE SPACE FOR CULTURE
To ensure Brisbane’s growth supports its cultural future, the property development approval process must include tools for the mandated and thoughtful integration of cultural spaces. This should involve a thorough local needs analysis to ensure these spaces are not only well-intentioned but genuinely useful to the community. By embedding cultural infrastructure into urban planning, Brisbane can avoid creating token spaces and instead foster environments where creativity and community thrive in tandem with development.
8. HARNESS QUEENSLAND’S DIVERSITY FOR A CULTURAL NETWORK
Queensland’s rich mix of cities, regions and communities offers a distinct opportunity to build a vibrant cultural network. With the upcoming investment for the Olympic Games, each locale has a chance to spotlight its unique cultural identity. By strategically leveraging this diversity, Brisbane can position itself as a dynamic hub within a broader, interconnected cultural landscape, ensuring the entire region benefits from global attention and long-lasting creative growth.
9. MAKE BRISBANE THE WORLD’S MOST ACCESSIBLE CULTURAL CITY
Brisbane has the chance to set a new global standard for accessibility in culture. As Bruce Gladwin, artistic director of Back to Back Theatre, highlighted, Sydney’s 2000 Games featured separate cultural programs for the Olympics and Paralympics. Brisbane can go further by offering a unified cultural program between the two events — one that reflects the full diversity of Australia’s artistic community, including artists with disabilities.
Beyond programming, new cultural infrastructure must embody this commitment. Through consultation with disability advocates and advisers, theatres and presentation spaces can be designed to be fully accessible to performers, participants, and audiences alike. Such an inclusive legacy would position Brisbane ahead of Melbourne and Sydney, solidifying its status as a leader in accessible cultural innovation.
10. MEASURE CULTURE’S IMPACT: FROM HOUSE PRICES TO HAPPINESS
To fully understand the impact of creative and cultural spaces, Brisbane must engage economic consultancies to develop comprehensive metrics that extend beyond ticket sales. The city should measure how creative spaces influence education outcomes, property values, employment rates, safety, crime reduction, community wellbeing, and adjacent economies like food, beverage, and retail. The world of sport has long demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach; it’s time to apply the same rigorous analysis to creativity. By doing so, Brisbane can make a compelling case for the lasting economic and social benefits of cultural investment across both the city and its suburbs.
This is a call to action. Let’s rethink time and space to build a connected, active cultural life. Brisbane’s public spaces are ripe for transformation. And in an era marked by isolation, such public expressions of culture could be the unsung antidote. Let’s build a connected, active cultural life that matches Brisbane’s natural beauty with cultural dynamism. With only seven years until the Olympics, the time to act is now; Let’s make Brisbane not just a backdrop, but a cultural icon.
IMAGE, TOP: Laak Boorndap garden, Melbourne Arts Precinct. Image courtesy MAP Co.
