State Library of Queensland

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Recommended all ages.Step into our artist studio and discover the fun of drawing from life. With exciting dress-ups and imaginative play, families are invited to strike a pose and create a masterpiece. Whether you're drawing the art or becoming it, share the experience with your family and friends. This activity is presented as part of Brisbane Portrait Prize, which celebrates the courageous, creative, and passionate people who make up our city. Be sure to head up to slq Gallery on level 2 to see the exhibition including the winners of the Next Gen category for artists 18 years and under. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. No booking required for this free activity. Privacy information We respect your privacy. Personal information we collect is used only for our internal activities and functions (Libraries Act 1988 (Qld)) and will not be disclosed unless required by law. For more information, please read State Library's privacy statement.

From the ‘burbs, to the bush, to the inner city, Australians are obsessed with the idea of home and the dream of home ownership. Architecture and design enthusiast Tim Ross grew up in the suburbs, and ever since he was 8, when he found himself drawn to a family friends’ very groovy conversation pit, he has been thinking about homes and what makes a good one. In The Australian Dream? Tim Ross casts his discerning eye across the archival treasures of our much-loved public libraries and uncovers the telling images that reveal a multi-decade story of Australian homes – how they’re sold to us, why we buy them, and how we make them our own. Ross explores the reasons why home ownership is such an all-consuming distraction among Australians and uncovers some of the unique and special ways we have built in this place. A funny and factual talk based on 18 months of research, it includes a selection of new cinematic style films produced specially for The Australian Dream? Australia is a nation that is undeniably fixated on property, but increasingly the headlines are about housing scarcity, affordability, and mortgage pain. For many Australians, owning a home now seems like an unattainable dream. So, what can we learn from our past to help solve the problems of the future, and how can we reimagine the Australian Dream? This is Tim Ross doing what he does best: telling human stories anchored by his passion for Australian design, previously showcased in his ABC TV shows Designing A Legacy and Streets Of Your Town. The Australian Dream? is presented by Modernister Shows in partnership with the State Library of Queensland. “Ross has become one of TV’s most persuasive presenters: authentic, congenial, and knowledgeable. He brings with him a moral conscience too…He never misses an opportunity to slip a gag in, or an appropriate defusing one-liner delivered almost by a kind of verbal sleight-of-hand.” The Australian This event is accessible, however please email productionteam@slq.qld.gov.au to reserve accessible seating or for any enquiries.

Join State Library as we mark five decades of 4ZZZ Radio—Brisbane’s trailblazing community radio station and a champion of independent media. Discover the music, art, fashion, design and radical creativity that have shaped the station and its community since 1975.From October 2025 to May 2026, immerse yourself in subcultures, stories and voices that changed Brisbane—from punk and underground gigs to Murri Radio, Queer Radio, Dykes on Mics and more. Stranded at The EdgeFrom December 2025, see The Edge comes alive with talks, workshops and digital showcases celebrating 4ZZZ’s legacy.Stranded conversationsMark your calendar for 3–6 December and celebrate the radical legacy of independent media and culture in Queensland. Ticketed events will be on sale soon. These are paid events and will be available for purchase in multi packages. ($25 x 1 talk, $40 x 2 talks, $50 x 3 talks). Independent media6-8 pm, Wednesday 3 DecemberA panel on democratic media, community broadcasting and the birth of 4ZZZ. Music and culture6-8 pm, Thursday 4 DecemberFrom vinyl to Spotify—explore 50 years of subcultural shifts in music, fashion and art.Iconic spaces2-4 pm, Saturday 6 DecemberThe stories behind Brisbane’s legendary venues, from Cloudland and Festival Hall to The Zoo and DIY spaces.Digital showcase Throughout December, The Edge’s digital big screens will feature rare footage, posters, photos and art from 4ZZZ’s archives. Stranded at State LibraryWhite gloves experiencesHandle rarely seen items from the 4ZZZ collection. Our White gloves experiences will run 4 pm to 6 pm Wednesday 3 December and Thursday 4 December. Bookings available soon.Level 4 exhibitFrom late October 2025 to May 2026, step inside the level 4 gallery to explore 4ZZZ’s cultural footprint and Brisbane’s DIY creative scene, through rare collection items, ephemera and untold stories. Be the first to hearSign up for State Library's What's On newsletter to be the first to hear about ticket releases and booking details.