The long-awaited Quandamooka Arts and Culture Centre (QUAMPI) has reached a major milestone, with a special sneak peek tour drawing excitement as it prepares to open its doors in 2025.
Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch recently joined Quandamooka elders, leaders, and community members for an exclusive tour of QUAMPI, which is set for completion this November, with doors opening in early 2025.
Nestled between the beach and bush on picturesque Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), QUAMPI – named after the traditional local oyster and its pearl shell, a cherished food of the Quandamooka people for thousands of years – captures the essence of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Featuring exhibition and workshop spaces, a stunning open foyer, talking circle, elders space, cafe and gift shop, QUAMPI’s vision is to showcase Quandamooka arts and culture, while inviting First Nations artists from throughout Australia and overseas to exhibit and collaborate.
QYAC chair Cameron Costello emphasised that the centre would serve as a catalyst project, attracting visitors from around the globe, especially those coming to Brisbane in the lead-up to the highly anticipated 2032 Olympics.
“In particular, it is a great platform for the Quandamooka people to enhance their social, cultural and economic outcomes,” Mr Costello said.
He said the centre’s beauty lay in its commitment to showcase not only local artists but also Indigenous artists from around the globe.
“The added benefit for us is that it provides employment and economic outcomes for our people as well,” he said.
“We are able to loan artworks from cultural institutions, which means we can bring back and display artworks that are in national galleries and museums for our people.”
QUAMPI director Avril Quail said it was a regional museum on a beautiful island with the highest international museum standards.
“I think that this is really a game changer for the region, not only for my people, the Quandamooka people,” Ms Quail said.
“It is going to make such a huge difference as far as the appreciation of Quandamooka arts and cultural practices and also arts and culture of other First Nation artists.”
