About Us

Opening in 1998, the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) is an inspirational centre of training excellence and innovation for contemporary dance, music, and acting. ACPA is Australia’s only centre offering courses that incorporate all performing arts genres, including classes dedicated to Indigenous cultural fusion. We welcome Indigenous and non-Indigenous students from all over Australia to learn from our global network of industry experts, and to develop their potential as arts leaders of the future. Our individualised learning framework has resulted in 80 percent of ACPA graduates securing full time or part time employment, or progressing to further education. We encourage excellence, professionalism and respect for Indigenous culture, and the expression of that culture through contemporary performance. Our work also contributes significantly to the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) Closing the Gap initiative – maintaining, valuing, and strengthening Indigenous cultures and improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s skills and employment outcomes. ACPA is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training(RTO: 6829).