The Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives exhibition at the Queensland Museum, part of the Queensland Cultural Centre.

Media Statement, Cultural Centre attracts 7 million visitors in 2017-18, Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts, August 01, 2018

Brisbane’s Cultural Centre continues to thrive, attracting a record 7 million visitors in 2017-18, Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said today.

“The heritage-listed Queensland Cultural Centre is one of our state’s brightest attractions with a proven track record for generating cultural tourism and economic return,” Ms Enoch said.

“Reaching a record 7 million visitor milestone is fantastic, and tops the previous financial year when 6.5 million visitors were recorded.

“The Cultural Centre has year-round innovative programming, exhibitions and productions, and allows visitors to experience amazing storytelling through the arts.

“Our venues including Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) all do fantastic work and collaborate together in the Cultural Centre.”

Minister Enoch said the 7 million visitor milestone was a testament to the Cultural Centre’s program of internationally recognised high-quality arts and cultural experiences.

“With free entry into the Queensland Museum, QAGOMA and State Library, visitors have been able to engage with unique experiences such as the Wild State display of Queensland biodiversity and habitats, the Australian Art Collection, and the John Oxley Library of Queensland history and heritage,” she said.

“Amazing programs and performances in 2017-18 also helped attract visitors to the precinct, including QAGOMA’s Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe, Disney’s hit production of Aladdin at QPAC, and the 2018 World Science Festival Brisbane.”

QAGOMA’s Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe exhibition attracted a record breaking 269,000 visitors, and the World Science Festival Brisbane, presented in March by the Queensland Museum, attracted 188,857 attendees over five days.

“The Palaszczuk Government is providing significant investment in the Cultural Centre, including committing $125 million towards a new $150 million theatre at QPAC.

“This commitment also follows on from a $2.3 million upgrade for the Cremorne Theatre at QPAC which reopened in August 2017.

“The Palaszczuk Government is also investing in Queensland Museum’s new $9.4 million Sparklab Sciencentre and the new Anzac legacy gallery, which will ensure the Cultural Centre continues to realise its potential as a must-see destination.

“The Cultural Centre makes an enormous contribution to Queensland’s cultural tourism and visitor experience while celebrating the unique culture, history, stories and characters of our state.”

Media contact: 0437 859 987