Article written by Sera-Lyn Terare.
Brisbane is known for many things; food, wine, festivals and diverse culture to name just a few of the major highlights. Today’s article is about the major Cultural Attractions within Brisbane’s city limits that are worth penning into your bucket list.
The Museum of Brisbane.
Head to the Museum of Brisbane and take the hand-operated lift up the Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower, where you can step out onto an observation platform and take in the spectacular birds-eye view of Brisbane’s city scape.
The museum is home to authentic Brisbane stories of its people past and present. It focusses on the identity of what makes Brisbane what it is today. When you visit the museum, you’ll uncover details and events that have shaped Brisbane and its people into the culture that we celebrate today.
The Museum of Brisbane hosts many events both ticketed and free exhibitions are available. The latest available exhibitions are, 100% Brisbane, Life in Irons, Bristopia and Our Collection: Voice in Action. All of which are free exhibitions that you are able to visit.
100% Brisbane is a free exhibition that runs daily from 10am until 5pm. In a world-first, 100% Brisbane collaborates with Rimini Protokoll who is a celebrated Berlin based Theatre Company that is involved in creating an unforgettable interactive experience that brings together 100s of residents who currently call Brisbane home.
It involves people of different cultures, ethnicity and gender telling their moving and personal stories alongside with their beliefs and attitudes that shape out who we are.
Life in Irons is another free exhibition that runs daily from 10am until 5pm from May 18 2018 until 28 October 2018. This exhibition sheds light on what it was like as a convict during the 1800s. It tells the story of the unrelentingly harsh lifestyles for the 3,000 men and women who were imprisoned here from 1824 to the penal colony’s closure in 1839.
It also talks about the changed lives of the Aboriginal peoples on whose Country that the colony was built on, for those who are unaware, Brisbane’s Aboriginal colony is called the Turrbal which is part of the Yugambeh language group in the present day. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to view some of the few remaining official documents from the Brisbane penal colony and sheds light on the shared history of both the English Colonists and the Indigenous people of Australia.
Bristopia is a free exhibition that runs daily from 10am until 5pm from the dates of April 27 until October 14 2018. Bristopia is a reflection upon the elements of this City’s connection to the people. Bristopia invites contribution from anyone who calls Brisbane home to contribute their voice in the conversation by exploring the values held in relation to community, the environment and well-being. The illustrations in this exhibition are created by Megan Mckean who captures the Brisbane city scape in the image below.
Our Collection: Voice in Action is a free exhibition that runs daily from 10am until 5pm from March 28 until September 2 2018. A Voice in Action explores the unique socio-political climate during the 1980s. It shows the impact and the rise of new and strong artistic voices through visual art.
Throughout the movement of asserting identities and experiences, confronting stereotypes and challenging the status-quo is depicted in both Aboriginal art and Western imagery. These strong cross-cultural influences are a way for both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples to come together socially and artistically. Collaborations like these are important to help change the conversation and dissolve the boundaries as well as amplify the need for social change.
The featured artists in this exhibition include, Vernon Ah Kee; Christoper Bassi; Richard Bell; Megan Cope; Leah King Smith; Vincent Serico and Judy Watson.
Visit www.museumofbrisbane.com.au for more information on the Museum of Brisbane and the location and opening hours for the exhibitions mentioned above.
Queensland Museum
Located in Brisbane’s Cultural Centre on Southbank’s river bed, it hosts some of the world’s amazing exhibitions.
The aim of the Queensland Museum is to enable visitors to connect with both Queensland and Australia’s history as well as Brisbane’s rich cultural history that is shared throughout the nation.
There are many permanent exhibitions that remain within the museum all year round, these include the Dandiiri Maiwar which explores the cultures of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s a great resource for the visitors and locals to gain insight into Queensland’s history.
Other activities that are offered at the museum include interactive Discovery Centre where you are able to get close and personal with the artefacts, fossils and animals.
For more information, visit http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/ for more information on exhibitions both free and ticketed events.
The Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
The Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art has one of the most diverse range of historical and contemporary art pieces in Australia so you know it’s something worth sticking on your to do list when visiting Brisbane.
Take a moment to explore the QAGGOMA’s international exhibitions, night viewings and even live music. It also has its own retail outlets and cafés and restaurants with the proceeds going straight back into both gallery’s.
For more information, visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au for more information on the latest exhibitions for both free and ticketed events.
Queensland Maritime Museum
The Queensland Maritime Museum is located on the historic dry dock in South Brisbane. It’s one of the leading maritime museums in Australia with displays of collections of historical maritime artefacts, books, documents and photographs.
Visiting the museum, you’ll have a chance to step aboard an internationally significant naval frigate HMAS Diamantina for the chance to explore the ship stem to stern while uncovering a variety of naval memorabilia.
For more information, visit maritimemuseum.com.au
Brisbane Powerhouse
Brisbane’s Powerhouse is recognised as a significant example of art deco industrial design and is one of the city’s cultural landmarks, a hub for all things relating to creative which includes, theatre, music, comedy, film, visual arts and festivals.
There are over 1000 events to choose from, many of which are free live performances with beautiful river views where you can indulge in great food and wine at their in-house restaurant or bar. If that doesn’t appeal to you, head down to the weekend markets on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month
For more information, visit brisbanepowerhouse.org.
Queensland State Library
The Queensland State Library is located within the cultural centre hub next to the Queensland Museum, the Art Gallery and QPAC along the Brisbane river.
It is a living, breathing resource in knowledge in the guise of books, journals, magazines, newspapers, audio visuals, family history, maps, music, internet, and many more resources that you can access electronically.
There are many free and ticketed events and activities for children hosted by the Library as well as an amazing Indigenous space called “Kuril Dhagun” which is dedicated to sharing, creating and preserving Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture knowledge and ideas.
For more information, visit www.slq.qld.gov.au/.
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is home to many performing arts showcases that have travelled not just around Australia but internationally as well.
The most recent showcase that has been largely publicised is Aladdin – the live action musical. It has also hosted many performances by the ballet, with one coming to QPAC in November by the Teatro Alla Scala Ballet Company as well as many well-known musicals, for example, Mamma Mia and Grease.
For more information about current and upcoming performances, visit www.qpac.com.au.
Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
The Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts is like QPAC as it hosts many creative performances. The programs usually on display at the centre are circus, dance, cabaret, music and contemporary performances. Located in Fortitude Valley, is captures the modernity and grunge of the inner city.
If you want an intimate and innovative experience of a lifetime, Judith Wright Centre is the place to be while visiting Brisbane. Whether you’re visiting the centre for a performance or just catching up with your friends for a coffee, Judith Wright has many hospitality venues to suit your eccentric tastebuds.
For more information on performances and shows that are available, visit http://judithwrightcentre.com
Any one of these amazing locations are a must-see whether you’re in Brisbane for a day, week or even a month. Brisbane’s cultural experiences are one to remember and you wouldn’t want to miss out.
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