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Brisbane Airport’s has set ambitious sustainability goals, including achieving zero operational waste to landfill by 2030. By...
Brisbane Airport has long been a committed partner to the Arts and culture scene in Brisbane, and 2025 will mark some exciting milestones in their partnerships with three major cultural institutions: Brisbane Powerhouse (20 years), Museum of Brisbane (10 years), and Queensland Ballet (10 years). These long-standing partnerships show Brisbane Airport’s deep commitment to supporting Brisbane’s Arts scene.
During a conversation with Zoe Graham, CEO and Director of Museum of Brisbane, she highlighted just how important Brisbane Airport has been to the museum over the last decade. “We’re one of the many lucky beneficiaries of the Airport’s support,” Zoe said, sharing how the partnership has become part of the museum’s fabric. With Brisbane Airport’s backing, Museum of Brisbane been able to launch big initiatives like the Brisbane Art and Design (BAD), which really put Brisbane’s creative sector on the map. Most recently, Brisbane Airport has also become the Museum of Brisbane’s Access Program Partner supporting their Quiet Afternoons and LOTE tours and events.
Queensland Ballet’s Executive Director, Dilshani Weerasinghe, also reflected on their 10-year partnership with Brisbane Airport. Dilshani shared how they’ve been there for the ballet through all kinds of changes—floods, expansions, even leadership transitions. “Brisbane Airport has been an invaluable constant throughout that time,” she explained, noting how their support provided much-needed stability during some challenging periods. She described the relationship as a “stable force” that has allowed Queensland Ballet to grow and thrive.
Thanks to Brisbane Airport, Queensland Ballet has been able to expand their programs across the board—from building a bigger dancer ensemble and expanding their world-stage repertoire, to introducing community-focused initiatives like Dance for Parkinson’s. “What I love about Brisbane Airport is how they work with us to ensure that we’re a thriving sector,” Dilshani said, adding that their partnership has played a key role in helping the ballet connect with more people throughout Queensland.
For Brisbane Powerhouse, their 20-year partnership with Brisbane Airport has been just as impactful. “In 2025, our partnership with Brisbane Airport will hit the 20-year mark, which is pretty significant for us. It’s our longest partnership, and it’s helped us keep many events free and accessible to the community,” shared Kate Gould, CEO and Artistic Director of Brisbane Powerhouse.
One of the standout events that Brisbane Airport has supported over the years is the World Press Photo Exhibition. “What’s really notable,” Kate explained, “is how Brisbane Airport’s partnership helps ensure this exhibition remains free for everyone, making it possible for more of the community to engage with world-class photography and journalism and stories that matter.”
Looking to the future, Brisbane Powerhouse has some big plans. “People may have already seen some of our exciting destination events, like Vertigo, Australia’s first vertical dining experience where your feet dangle 17 metres above the ground,” Kate said. “There’s also the MELT Festival of Queer Arts and Culture and Night Feast, which showcase the best of Brisbane’s restaurants alongside free public artwork. With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, we’re looking at new ways to work with artists to explore contemporary Art and culture.”
Looking ahead, both the Museum of Brisbane and Queensland Ballet are excited about what the future holds for their partnerships with Brisbane Airport. Zoe mentioned that the museum has developed a new vision that ties into Brisbane’s preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “We’re exploring new ways to tell Brisbane’s stories, and Brisbane Airport will be a key partner in helping us do that,” she said.
For Queensland Ballet, the focus is on creating sustainable jobs for their artists and arts workers. “If we don’t prioritise jobs for our people, then actually we have no power, because we’re powered by our people,” Dilshani explained. She also talked about the ballet’s commitment to supporting the next generation of dancers, making sure their programs remain accessible and relevant.
Kate summed up Brisbane Powerhouse’s role in the arts scene perfectly: “The role of arts and culture is to support a vibrant community, and this is what makes our community so much richer. We’re privileged to have this, and it’s fragile—something we need to preserve. As Brisbane looks to define its identity in the lead-up to the Olympics, Brisbane Powerhouse aims to be a leader in this space through the arts.”
These partnerships highlight Brisbane Airport’s passion for supporting Brisbane’s arts community, helping the city’s cultural landscape grow and thrive. As Zoe put it, “Brisbane Airport’s support is an extraordinary part of this dynamic city, and we look forward to many more years of working together.” Dilshani echoed that sentiment, saying, “Everything in ballet is a pas de deux—whether it’s between dancers on stage or partners like Queensland Ballet and Brisbane Airport. It’s always about connection, and that’s what makes life vibrant.”
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