Head of Creative Learning

Queensland Performing Arts Centre; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 129,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary tickets to performances

Discounted tickets

Employee discounts across venues

Greenroom access

Central location opposite South Bank

Job summary

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is seeking an experienced Head of Creative Learning to shape arts learning, participation and engagement for young people and communities.

Working within QPAC’s Curatorial Portfolio, this is a senior creative leadership role with the opportunity to develop and deliver meaningful performing arts experiences that connect artists, educators, young people, schools and communities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering complex performing arts, creative learning, education, cultural or festival programs and projects.
• Strong knowledge of arts education pedagogy, performing arts programming, youth engagement and community participation.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• The ability to build trusted partnerships across arts, education, community and cultural sectors.
• Strong project, financial and governance capability, with experience managing programs, resources and budgets.
• A demonstrated commitment to access, inclusion, diversity and cultural equity.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to bring people together around shared creative and organisational outcomes.
• Sound judgement, adaptability and the ability to work across multiple priorities in a dynamic performing arts environment.
• Experience working within or alongside educational institutions is highly regarded, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead QPAC’s creative learning direction, shaping programs and experiences for young people, educators and communities.
• Curate and deliver an annual program of creative learning initiatives across live, digital, school and community settings.
• Build meaningful partnerships with artists, performing arts companies, schools, universities, cultural organisations and community partners.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, creating an environment that supports creativity, collaboration, learning and high‑quality delivery.
• Champion participation and inclusion, developing opportunities that connect with diverse communities and priority audiences, including First Nations communities and people experiencing barriers to participation.
• Turn ideas into exceptional experiences, overseeing complex programs, projects and events from concept through to delivery and evaluation.
• Contribute to thought leadership and advocacy across creative learning, arts education, youth engagement and community participation.
• Build sustainable programs, managing budgets and resources while identifying opportunities for partnerships, grants, philanthropy and collaborative funding.

Skills

Arts leadership

Education expertise

Community engagement

Partnership building

People management

Budget management

Governance

Stakeholder influence

Strategic planning

Job description

Queensland Performing Arts Centre – South Brisbane QLD

Job Status: Full Time
Salary: $128,849 - $138,433 plus superannuation
Industry: Performing Arts
Location: South Brisbane
Application Closing Date: Monday 12th October 2026

Head of Creative Learning

QPAC is seeking an experienced and inspiring Head of Creative Learning to help shape the future of arts learning, participation and engagement for young people and communities.

Working within QPAC’s Curatorial Portfolio, this is a senior creative leadership role with the opportunity to develop and deliver meaningful performing arts experiences that connect artists, educators, young people, schools and communities.

Reporting to the Director – Creative Learning and Community Engagement, you will lead QPAC’s creative learning strategy and a multidisciplinary team spanning education, producing and project delivery. You will oversee an annual program of creative learning experiences delivered at QPAC, in schools, in communities and online, while identifying new ways for audiences and communities to engage with the performing arts.

At its heart, this role is about creating opportunities for young people to experience, participate in and make meaning through the performing arts.

About Us

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is one of Australia’s leading cultural destinations and the proud home of live performance in Queensland. Each year, more than 1.85 million people experience over 1,200 performances across its iconic theatres, showcasing everything from blockbuster musicians and ballet to cutting‑edge theatre, music and comedy.

At QPAC, the stage is set for extraordinary moments - bringing together world‑renowned artists, emerging talent, and audiences from across Australia and beyond to celebrate the power of live performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead QPAC’s creative learning direction, shaping programs and experiences for young people, educators and communities.
• Curate and deliver an annual program of creative learning initiatives across live, digital, school and community settings.
• Build meaningful partnerships with artists, performing arts companies, schools, universities, cultural organisations and community partners.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, creating an environment that supports creativity, collaboration, learning and high‑quality delivery.
• Champion participation and inclusion, developing opportunities that connect with diverse communities and priority audiences, including First Nations communities and people experiencing barriers to participation.
• Turn ideas into exceptional experiences, overseeing complex programs, projects and events from concept through to delivery and evaluation.
• Contribute to thought leadership and advocacy across creative learning, arts education, youth engagement and community participation.
• Build sustainable programs, managing budgets and resources while identifying opportunities for partnerships, grants, philanthropy and collaborative funding.

About You

You are an experienced arts, education or creative learning leader who understands the power of performing arts to create meaningful learning and engagement experiences.

You bring strong knowledge of performing arts programming, arts education, public participation and community engagement, particularly in relation to young people, educational settings and diverse communities. You are equally comfortable developing strategy, working alongside artists and educators, leading a team and bringing ambitious programs to life.

You will bring:

• Significant experience delivering complex performing arts, creative learning, education, cultural or festival programs and projects.
• Strong knowledge of arts education pedagogy, performing arts programming, youth engagement and community participation.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• The ability to build trusted partnerships across arts, education, community and cultural sectors.
• Strong project, financial and governance capability, with experience managing programs, resources and budgets.
• A demonstrated commitment to access, inclusion, diversity and cultural equity.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to bring people together around shared creative and organisational outcomes.
• Sound judgement, adaptability and the ability to work across multiple priorities in a dynamic performing arts environment.
• Experience working within or alongside educational institutions is highly regarded, but not essential.

Why Work at QPAC?

Working at QPAC means being part of one of Australia’s leading performing arts centres. With a vibrant and supportive workplace culture, our people are passionate about delivering exceptional experiences for audiences and artists alike.

• Our people also enjoy a range of benefits designed to support wellbeing, connection and a great workplace experience, including:
• Complimentary and discounted tickets to performances of your choice all year round!
• Employee discounts on merchandise and a wide range of dining outlets (Storytellers Cafe, TomTom, Russell Street Wine Bar and more)
• Exclusive employee offers across the South Bank cultural precinct
• Access to the QPAC Greenroom, including the Greenroom Café with discounted meals and a daily changing menu
• A convenient central location directly opposite South Brisbane Train Station and within Brisbane's vibrant cultural precinct

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, Disabled and Deaf people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of all ages. To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must have existing Australian work rights.