Queensland Ballet moves one step closer to realising Three Sites: One Vision

Queensland Ballet’s plans for a dedicated production centre to house its set and costume assets have now moved to Brisbane, after the company purchased land on Montague Road, 200 meters from the Thomas Dixon Centre.

Queensland Ballet Executive Director, Dilshani Weerasinghe, said the decision to purchase the block on Montague Road came hand in hand with the decision to sell a parcel of land in Yatala.

“Storage of Queensland Ballet’s production assets has always been a preoccupation and in 2021, we purchased a parcel of land in Yatala enabled by a visionary donation from long-term supporters Roy and Nola Thompson. The aim was to develop the Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre, an all-encompassing solution for all our set and costume needs. When the opportunity came up to purchase 394 Montague Road, where we have been leasing two units to temporarily house our assets and some of our production team since 2016, it was time for a re-think.

“The decision to sell the land at Yatala was not taken lightly and was influenced by the financial realities facing Queensland Ballet, not least the lack of funding parity from the Federal Government. The Board and Executive of Queensland Ballet have been advocating for several years for parity for the State in the funding structures led by Creative Australia and the Office of the Arts,” she said.

Li Cunxin AO, previous Artistic Director, publicly stated that the pressure to sustain Queensland Ballet’s endeavour in the absence of funding parity contributed to the decline in his health which eventually led to his retirement at the end of 2023.

Ms Weerasinghe said the long-term sustainability of Queensland Ballet is at the forefront of every decision, including ensuring viable homes for its endeavour. With Queensland Ballet Academy housed on the Kelvin Grove State College campus (opened in 2020) and the Thomas Dixon Centre re-opening its doors after extensive refurbishment in 2022, this third site is the final piece of the Three Sites: One Vision strategy launched in 2013.

“With the blessing of Roy and Nola Thompson, the proceeds of the sale will enable Queensland Ballet to complete a strategic re-design and fit-out of the space at Montague Road, complete with a climate-controlled environment, to realise the Roy and Nola Thompson Production Annex. Remaining funds will be directed to Queensland Ballet’s Forever Fund, the Endowment Fund which was officially launched late last year as part of Li’s legacy.

“The consistent focus on investment in the Forever Fund will underpin Queensland Ballet’s ongoing viability, forever. Ultimately, Queensland Ballet’s guardians have a major responsibility to ensure we thrive today and into the future. We will continue to advocate for parity for Queensland and arts in this State, and we will continue to place artists, arts workers, arts students and our wider community at the centre of our every move.

Importantly, ongoing discussions with HOTA and the City of Gold Coast will see Queensland Ballet maintain a vibrant presence on the Gold Coast, with exciting announcements to come in the not-too-distant future” she concluded.