Executive Director, Curatorial

Shape the creative direction of one of Australia’s most dynamic cultural institutions.

• Based in Brisbane, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is one of Australia’s busiest and most celebrated performing arts centres, presenting world-class productions and welcoming over 1.5 million visitors each year.
• From large-scale international productions to homegrown programs, QPAC creates and presents stories and perspectives that speak to their time and place, giving voice to the diversity of Queensland and helping shape a shared, inclusive future.

The Executive Director, Curatorial plays a pivotal role in ensuring QPAC achieves its commercial, cultural and community ambitions.

Leading a portfolio that includes Commercial Programming, Creative Learning and Engagement, First Nations Programming and Venue Utilisation, this is a substantial leadership position that calls for both artistic imagination and commercial acumen. Someone who can inspire teams, forge partnerships, and deliver programs that resonate with audiences while supporting QPAC’s financial sustainability.

With the opening of the Glasshouse Theatre in 2026 and capacity for up to 300,000 additional attendees each year, the Executive Director, Curatorial will have a rare and transformative opportunity to expand QPAC’s programming footprint. This growth enables greater diversity in artistic offerings, increased co-commissioning and collaboration on new work, and the chance to bring a broader range of voices and experiences to Queensland audiences. QPAC’s programming evolution is already underway, with a curriculum-linked education program launching for primary and secondary schools in 2026, and – through a programming partnership with South Bank Corporation – a new outdoor contemporary music program, On the Banks, debuting in March 2026.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Executive Team, the successful candidate will play a central role in shaping QPAC’s next artistic chapter by finalising and implementing a refreshed programming strategy that builds on QPAC’s national leadership.

The role’s key accountabilities include: 

• Lead the Curatorial portfolioto ensure that it is aspirational, accountable, aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives and achieving the portfolio’s commercial, cultural and community objectives while reflecting a continuous improvement approach to all aspects of its work. 
• Oversee the delivery of a first class suite of performing arts and events programs in keeping with QPAC’s national cultural leadership role, and as the state’s premier performing arts venue 
• Lead the management and development of the portfolio teamto ensure alignment of individual and team effort with strategic objectives, optimising the capability of portfolio staff to meet the organisation’s programming and operational goals, and exemplifying the organisation’s desired culture and values 
• Manage key relationshipswith presenters and producers in the Queensland, Australian and international cultural and entertainment sector, including the operational relationships with QPAC’s State companies, to support mutually beneficial cultural and commercial outcomes. 

The Executive Director, Curatorial will lead the development of strategies, frameworks and policies that balance QPAC’s multiple, and at times competing, objectives. These include: 

• Delivering an industry-leading, diverse and innovative performing arts program 
• As Queensland’s premier performing arts venue, positioning QPAC as a key delivery channel for the Government’s 10-year cultural policy, Time to Shine
• Maximising commercial return while effectively managing risk 
• Operating as a cultural catalyst and champion for Queensland’s performing arts community, and the state’s tourism and visitor economy objectives. 

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact REA arts + culture to obtain a copy of the key selection criteria and detailed Candidate Pack, and a confidential discussion about the role and their potential candidacy.

Applications are due before midnight on 2 January, 2026.

Vanessa Duscio

REA arts + culture

+61 409 977 312

[email protected]

Richard Evans

REA arts + culture

+61 417 336 507

[email protected]

QPAC is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Location

QPAC is located in the South Bank precinct in Brisbane, Australia.

Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest growing and most liveable capitals; an increasingly global city that will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With major investment in cultural infrastructure, innovation and sustainability, Brisbane is fast becoming a creative capital of the Asia-Pacific, making this an exciting time to live, work and lead here.

Timeline

• First and second interviews will be held in January.
• QPAC is seeking a new Director to start in early 2026.

Contract entitlements

QPAC is offering a 5-year full-time contract, with a competitive salary package and 5 weeks annual leave.

Other relevant information

As a major performing arts venue that operates 7 days a week, the leadership position will involve irregular hours and travel, including evenings and weekends, and considerable flexibility will be required.

All QPAC Executive team members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to supporting and championing QPAC’s commitment to Reconciliation (embodied in its second ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan) including First Nations programming. QPAC strives to be a leader in creating a culturally safe, culturally aware and culturally competent workplace and venue for all employees, artists and visitors.