On Thursday 8 May, 2025, Metro Arts, a steadfast incubator and launchpad for Queensland’s creative talent, proudly launched its 2025 program, introducing a fresh wave of innovative artists and daring artistic endeavours.
With a profound 45-year legacy, Metro Arts’ 2025 Program champions a selection of Queensland’s finest artists, both emerging and established. Showcasing a vibrant tapestry of contemporary art, the program features 3 visual art residencies, culminating in solo exhibitions, 4 mainstage productions, and continuing partnerships with the Brisbane Portrait Prize, the churchie emerging art prize, BEMAC and more.
Coinciding with the launch event, Metro Arts welcomed newly appointed Metro Arts Board Chair Tara Hastings. In her introductory speech she affirmed Metro Arts’ commitment, despite the challenges facing Australia’s Arts sector, to facilitating artist development via expert mentoring and access to critical spaces including the New Benner Theatre and MAVA Substation to play, experiment and develop works.
“Our 2025 program reflects a spirit of development and focus, proving that doing more with less isn’t just about making do — it’s about making sharper, braver choices that keep artists at the centre and bold ideas alive in the imagination.”
“This year’s program continues our commitment to risk, experimentation, and diversity — with a strong focus on original work, First Nations-led projects, and exciting collaborations with partners including Brisbane Festival, the churchie as well as brand new partnerships. We’re backing daring ideas, fearless creativity and voices that challenge the norm.”
Hastings steps up to the role of Board Chair following a two-year tenure as a Board Director, taking over from outgoing Chair Dr Fiona Hawthorne.
Program highlights include: DragSpeare – drag king cabaret that brings audiences on a rock ‘n roll journey through rural Queensland; Bahala/o – a moving contemporary dance work by Buddy Malbasias exploring duality of migrant identity; Terra Culture – an examination and invitation to interact with fungi by Bianca Tainsh that delves into what it means to be human; and the solo debut of First Nations Artist in Residence, Joshua Taliani – Unveiling Shadows – in partnership with Brisbane Festival and co-directed with Wanida Serce.
In addition, THAT Production Company will be presenting the Queensland premiere of Dance Nation by Clare Barron, giving audiences their first opportunity to see the multi-award winning work in a Queensland theatre. THAT Production Company will also be touring the Matilda Award-winning Every Brilliant Thing following its 2023 season at Metro Arts.
The full program can be viewed here via the link here.
The 2025 Season Launch was officially launched by the Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for Education and the Arts who shared timely words on the importance of career pathways in the Arts.
Metro Arts invites audiences to connect with artists as they put forward exciting contemporary works across both performance and visual arts through the 2025 program.
