The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts provides teaching excellence and innovation in contemporary performance.
Our vibrant and diverse training centre offers performing arts courses in the genres of dance, song, stage and screen.
ACPA’s performing arts courses emphasise individualised learning, developing each student’s potential to become an arts leader of the future.
ACPA is a Registered Training Organisation registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and delivers vocational education and training (VET) services.
Our Commitment:
We encourage excellence, professionalism and respect for all cultures and the expression of a student’s culture through contemporary performance.
We support artists to create.
We facilitate opportunity for students to experience learning through a cultural fusion lense.
Our Mission:
Amplified Indigenous Voices
Our Vision:
Building a bright new generation of First Nations Performers
Our values
Culture – Care – Quality
Values Measure:
- First Nations lead
- Culturally Credible – connection to Traditional Owners
- Elevated student focus – performing arts centric, amplified Indigenous voices
- Exceeding the Standards for Accredited Training
- Cultural exchange
Our History:
A national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts training institution was first proposed in 1994, in the then Prime Minister’s national arts policy, Creative Nation.
The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, responded by engaging Indigenous impresario Michael Leslie to establish ACPA in 1997. The first classes were held in 1998, at the Metro Arts Building in Edward Street. Only one accredited performing arts course was offered at this time.
Student numbers grew as additional qualifications were offered, so ACPA relocated to new premises in South Brisbane, then a campus in Kangaroo Point. In December 2016, ACPA moved to the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts.
Thanks to the dedication and commitment of staff, board members, alumni and supporters, ACPA has become a national centre of cultural and educational significance.
ACPA now offers four nationally recognised and accredited vocational qualifications.
ACPA alumni include:
- Royston Sagigi-Baira a.k.a. Royston Noell (winner of Australian Idol 2023)
- Danzel Baker OAM a.k.a. Baker Boy (Young Australian of the Year 2019)
- Yolanda Lowatta (Bangarra Dance Company’s Russell Page Fellowship recipient; 2016 Helpmann Award for Best Female Dancer)
- David Biondi-Odo (The Banff Centre’s Indigenous Dance Residency Program, Canada)
- Trae Allen (Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional Year 2018, ADC & Blakdance)
- Keia McGrady (Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (KCDC) Residency Program, Israel)
- Nicholas Currie-Inns (Royal Carribean 2023-24 contract)
- Liam Talty (Ready for This, TV Week Logie winner for Most Outstanding Children’s Program)
- Jeremy Ambrum (Channel 7’s major new drama series, The Secret Daughter)
- Jalen Sutcliffe (Deadly Funny Award, 2016 Melbourne International Comedy Festival)
- Dale Woodbridge-Brown (Circus Oz)