Explore hidden spaces and untold stories this Brisbane Open House

The Queensland Cultural Centre (QCC), designed by Robin Gibson, is intrinsic to the urban fabric of Brisbane, forming the backdrop of the city for the last four decades. As the city heads toward the world stage for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we reflect on this iconic precinct and its role in shaping the city’s identity.The Queensland Art Gallery opened first in 1982, followed by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in 1985, Queensland Museum in 1986, and State Library of Queensland in 1988. The addition of the Playhouse Theatre completed Gibson’s original masterplan in 1998. In 2015, the four original buildings were state heritage-listed. The 2006 Millennium Library Project, celebrating 20 years in 2026, transformed and renewed the Library for a new century, and in 2026, QPAC entered a new chapter with the addition of the Glasshouse Theatre. Designed by Brisbane’s own Blight Rayner, in partnership with Snøhetta, its undulating façade brings a new vernacular to South Bank, and the broader cultural precinct.Through four decades of alterations, renovations, and additions - all while showcasing local and worldwide talent - QCC has continued to evolve as one of Brisbane’s most significant public precincts. Its enduring legacy invites us to consider several questions: what defines a successful public building? How do we ensure modern icons remain protected amid rapid urban growth, and what does that process look like? And how should new additions respond to this significant heritage context?Presented by State Library of Queensland with the Emerging Architects and Graduate Network (EmAGN) and Brisbane Open House. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.Please consult our conditions of entry and Ticketing Terms and Conditions before making your booking.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.The views expressed by the speakers are their own and the promotion of products/services is not endorsed by State Library.

In the wake of rapid development across Queensland in preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there has never been a better moment to reflect on where we started, how far we have come, and what the future of heritage might look like.This insightful panel brings together founding members of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and authors of the Burra Charter to trace the origins of heritage protection in Australia, explore the evolution and ongoing impact of the Charter, and consider future directions for the field. Hannah Lewi, co-author of the recently released book Adapt, will discuss the adaptive reuse of historic buildings in Australia, before the panel turns its attention to one of Brisbane's most cherished public buildings: State Library of Queensland.Presented by State Library of Queensland with Brisbane Open House. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.Please consult our conditions of entry and Ticketing Terms and Conditions before making your booking.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.The views expressed by the speakers are their own and the promotion of products/services is not endorsed by State Library.

As part of Brisbane Open House 2026, go behind the scenes at State Library of Queensland and explore one of the city’s most acclaimed public buildings.Discover rarely seen spaces such as the Repository and Conservation Lab, where our specialist teams care for Queensland’s treasured collections. In our White Gloves experience, you’ll have the unique opportunity to handle and explore curated items from the collection.Behind-the-scenes tours run at 9:15 am, 10:15 am, 11:15 am and 12:45 pm.Each tour runs for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.Bookings are essential as places are limited. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.Please consult our conditions of entry and Ticketing Terms and Conditions before making your booking.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.The views expressed by the speakers are their own and the promotion of products/services is not endorsed by State Library.

Discover why the State Library building won state and national Royal Institute of Australian Architects awards on a free guided tour led by architect Lucas Leo. Explore building highlights from State Library’s 2006 redevelopment and learn the architectural history of Queensland’s major cultural collecting institution.Bookings essential - tickets available at 9am on 24 June. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.Please consult our conditions of entry and Ticketing Terms and Conditions before making your booking.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.The views expressed by the speakers are their own and the promotion of products/services is not endorsed by State Library.

Explore Queensland’s State War Memorial in the heart of Brisbane as part of Brisbane Open House 2026. Visitors are welcome to drop in anytime between 10 am and 4 pm or join one of three free guided tours.Have you ever wanted to learn more about the history and design of Anzac Square and Memorial Galleries?Opened in 1930, Anzac Square is the State War Memorial of Queensland, a significant public and historical site dedicated to the men and women who have served their country in conflict and in peace since the Boer War. It was borne from a grieving society that gave and lost so much during World War I, and was funded by individual donations – ordinary people who were themselves facing difficult times in the years between World War I and the Great Depression. Since 1931, more than 130 memorial plaques have been laid within the galleries, commemorating the service and sacrifice of Queensland-associated military units.As part of Brisbane Open House 2026, join us for a free 30-minute guided tour exploring the history behind Queensland’s pre-eminent war memorial. Come along to discover:The largely unknown history of the Memorial Galleries; a hidden treasure beneath the Cenotaph.The history and design behind some of the memorial plaques and honour rolls within the galleries.The recent renovations undertaken to maintain, restore, protect and respectfully enhance the galleries to ensure their continued use and relevance for current and future generations.The colourful Venetian glass mosaic created by late Brisbane artist Don Ross will also be on display during Brisbane Open House and for a limited time from Monday 6 July to Sunday 2 August 2026 inclusive.Bookings essential - tickets available at 9am on Wednesday 24 June. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.Please consult our conditions of entry and Ticketing Terms and Conditions before making your booking.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.The views expressed by the speakers are their own and the promotion of products/services is not endorsed by State Library.State Library films, records and photographs events for use in marketing and communications. If you do not wish to be filmed, recorded or photographed please advise staff upon your arrival.

About the exhibitionEchoes of Brisbane explores the difficulty of capturing a place once visited, after memory and imagination have filtered the experience into a dreamlike state. This series of artworks was initiated in 2006 using traditional black‑and‑white photographic film and a disused camera from an architectural practice to capture echoes of light and echoes of Brisbane’s urban landscape from that moment in time. Revisiting the work in 2026, artist Pia Robinson has transformed these static photographs into moving image. The resulting work sit between photography and cinema, fusing analogue methods with contemporary digital processes to reanimate Brisbane from 2006 for this exhibition at The Edge Screens. Pia Robinson is a multi‑disciplinary artist living in South East Queensland. The exhibit will be on The Edge Screens 1 July to 31 July.This work is presented as part of State Library of Queensland's Brisbane Open House program for 2026.

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