Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts, Rod Welford, has announced a cultural coup for Queensland, with the world famous Paris Opera Ballet making its only Australian performances in Brisbane next year. The Paris Opera Ballet is one of the world's finest ballet companies and has only ever visited Australia once before.
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts, Rod Welford, has announced a $34 million refurbishment of QPAC, including modifications to the Lyric Theatre and Concert Hall to provide more seating choices and easier access for patrons with a disability and their guests. The scope of works will include installation of a new lift for enhanced access, upgrading of existing lifts, additional wheelchair seating locations and toilet facilities, as well as general maintenance, improvements and refurbishment within the Lyric Theatre and the Concert Hall.
The Lyric Theatre and Concert Hall will be closed while the works are in progress, from 8 November 2008 until end February 2009. The building works will also require temporary relocation of the qtix Box Office to the Playhouse, temporary closure of the Lyrebird Restaurant and Cascade Court Café, as well as closure of the drop-off tunnel to vehicles and pedestrians.
The Cultural Centre car parks will be accessible from Russell Street, Melbourne Street or Peel Street/Stanley Place.
The Playhouse and Cremorne Theatre will continue to present outstanding performances during the refurbishment and it will be business as usual throughout the rest of the Cultural Centre.
QPAC is currently undertaking a joint research project with Griffith University, the Sydney Opera House, The Arts Centre and the Adelaide Festival Centre.
The project, titled 'Sustaining Culture: The Role of Performing Arts Centres' has been in development for two years and has now received funding to start the three year research period. This is the first collective research project across the major performing arts centres and is an exciting development in arts research.
