The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) is a national Australian institution for the culturally sensitive training of Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander people in the performing arts. Founded in 1997, it has been located in Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, since 2017.

History

The proposal for a national training institution for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts first arose in 1994, as part of the federal government's national arts policy, "Creative Nation". In 1997 the Queensland Government engaged choreographer and dancer Michael Leslie (dancer), Michael Leslie to establish the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts, and in 1998 classes were first held at the Metro Arts Theatre, Metro Arts building in Edward Street, Brisbane, Edward Street, Brisbane. ACPA moved first to South Brisbane, then to Kangaroo Point, Queensland, Kangaroo Point. In January 2017, ACPA moved again, to the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Judith Wright Arts Centre in Fortitude Valley, where greatly improved facilities include purpose-built studios for music, acting and dance.

Description

The organisation teaches Indigenous and non-Indigenous acting, music and dance. It has won several national awards and is nationally accredited as a registered training organisation. ACPA receives funding from the Government of Queensland, Queensland and Government of Australia, Australian governments, as well as from the private sector.

Funding and governance

The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Department of Education and Training (Queensland), Department of Education and Training. ACPA's education partners include the Brisbane Arts Theatre, the University of Tasmania and Queensland University of Technology. Its corporate supporters include the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Judith Wright Arts Centre, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and Australian Dance Council, Ausdance Queensland. The current CEO is Wesley Aird.

References

External links

* {{authority control Australian tertiary institutions Drama schools in Australia Dance education in Australia Educational institutions established in 1997 Education in Brisbane Indigenous Australian education Indigenous Australian theatre Australian vocational education and training providers Organisations serving Indigenous Australians Kangaroo Point, Queensland 1997 establishments in Australia