An artless state: Why Qld is in danger of a cultural shift
Brisbane’s best creative minds are warning Queensland is at risk of becoming an “artless” wasteland after a dramatic decline in enrolments at a key university.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The state’s top performing arts university has launched a review of its courses following a staggering 40 per cent decline in enrolments, with Brisbane’s best creative minds warning Queensland is at risk of becoming an “artless” wasteland.
Queensland University of Technology, which boasts big name graduates including musicians Kate Miller-Heidke and actors such as Gyton Grantley and Deborah Mailman, is conducting a faculty-wide review of its performing arts courses off the back of major declines in enrolments since 2019.
The move has sparked outrage among those in the industry, who have labelled it a “canary in a coal mine” for the future of the arts in Queensland.
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) CEO Rachel Healy said “often a review is just a prelude to a cut” and the future of workers in the arts industry was “at stake”.
“The anxiety about the review is that there is an agenda to downgrade, downsize or eliminate,” she said.
Ms Healy said record ticket sales of 135,000 to QPAC shows over summer meant Queenslanders still valued performing arts.
“My understanding is that we are selling more tickets in Queensland than anywhere else in the country, so there’s a cost-of-living crisis but Queenslanders value the performing arts,” she said.
Drama Queensland president Scott Andrews said they were “deeply concerned” about the review, which is due to be finalised in the first half of 2025.
“Ensuring that QUT continues to provide these practical, rigorous and dynamic degrees is essential for the future of drama education in Queensland and the broader arts industry,” Mr Andrews said.
“The quality and impact of these courses are evident in QUT’s impressive alumni network, which includes many distinguished graduates working across the arts and entertainment industry.”
Mr Andrews said the arts sector was a vital contributor to Queensland’s economy, generating jobs and enriching communities.
“The removal of these courses would be detrimental to the industry.”
National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) chair Dr John Nicholas Saunders said the group had conducted a survey of creative arts tertiary course offerings across Australia and identified that between 2018 and 2025, 40 creative arts courses were discontinued, with a further eight significantly reduced.
“If QUT discontinues these courses, it will have a detrimental impact on the arts industry, limiting pathways for Queenslanders to train as artists and arts professionals in their home state,” he said.
“If we continue to devalue the arts by cutting programs in schools and universities, we risk becoming an arts-less state.”
Dr Saunders said Dance, Drama, Acting, and Music programs at QUT had historically been among the most significant creative arts programs in Australia, producing “exceptional graduates” who had gone on to lead their respective fields.
A QUT spokesman said QUT was reviewing its performing arts courses to ensure the program offering was sustainable.
“This faculty-wide review has included consultation with industry, students, staff and alumni to guide planning and implementation across the curriculum,” the spokesman said.
QUT had seen falls of approximately 40 per cent in first preferences across its performing arts programs since 2019, he said.
“We are also looking at the trends and ongoing impacts of high school subject selection in relation to performing arts subjects as part of the review.”
The spokesperson said there had been no job losses associated with the review.
Successful alumni also include band Ball Park Music, actors Ryan Johnson, Brenton Thwaites and Anna McGahan.
Originally published as An artless state: Why Qld is in danger of a cultural shift
Join the conversation
How Botox is being used to ease crippling endo pain
It’s best known as a wonder wrinkle eliminator, but now doctors are using Botox injections on a rising number of women to relieve the pain of endometriosis.
Read more
Beer or pastry: New life beckons for coeliacs in groundbreaking trial
These two patients are among the first to receive a new therapy for coeliac disease in a groundbreaking trial that could change what they’re able to eat.
Read more