Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has joined celebrations to mark the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s 30th anniversary.

Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has joined celebrations to mark the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s 30th anniversary.

Ms Palaszczuk said for three decades QPAC had been the beating heart of the state’s art scene, showcasing exceptional performances from home and abroad.

“Since the curtain went up on The Pirates of Penzance in the Lyric Theatre on the 7th of February, 1985, millions of people have seen a show at QPAC,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Many Queenslanders were first introduced to the wonder of live performance at QPAC, setting them on a path for a lifelong love of the arts.

“My government is a passionate supporter of the arts not only because it enriches our lives and our community, but also because it is a valued component of our economy and a significant employer.”

Each year QPAC stages around 1200 performances and welcomes more than one million visitors.

“QPAC has an established track record as a producer of new work and is home to the state’s leading arts companies,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“So far this year QPAC has hosted Queensland Ballet’s acclaimed production of La Sylphide and the debut Brisbane Baroque, a nine-day festival supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland.

“QPAC has hosted exclusive performances by the world’s most acclaimed companies such as the Paris Opera Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, Hamburg’s finest arts companies and the American Ballet Theatre in its first-ever visit to Australia.”

The Premier applauded the diversity and richness of QPAC’s programming with its line-up ranging from local talent to international superstars along with its acclaimed biennial children’s festival, Out of the Box, which delivered cultural experiences for thousands of children.

“And QPAC has made a name for itself by presenting top musicals. On average, more than 40 per cent of QPAC’s annual 1.2 million visitors attend QPAC to see a musical theatre performance, delivering direct cultural tourism benefits and economic return for the state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

The Premier said QPAC’s success contributed to the overall success of the Cultural Precinct, which attracted 4.7 million visitors in 2013-14.

For information on QPAC events go to: www.qpac.com.au (external site)