QPAC & Guangzhou Opera House Sign Friendship Agreement

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) has signed a Friendship Agreement with Guangzhou Opera House (GOH), one of the most prestigious performing arts centres in China.

The Friendship Agreement between the Centres will explore opportunities for collaboration in staff professional development and training; arts and Cultural Industry and market knowledge; and production development and collaboration.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said, "The Friendship Agreement marks a milestone in QPAC's cooperation with GOH, a relationship that has developed over the past two years. "This is the first time

QPAC has formed a partnership like this with one of our contemporaries in China. It's important for us as an organisation, to learn and grow through partnerships such as this and to share our own thinking and expertise in an Asian context.

"Agreements such as this are a critical part in preparing our industry for the Asian Century and in helping to build pathways for Queensland companies and artists" Mr Kotzas said.

A delegation of seven senior managers from GOH visited QPAC in March 2013 to undertake an immersive education and cultural exchange program.

Mr Kotzas said, "The visit by a delegation of staff from GOH was a wonderful experience for staff from both QPAC and GOH and created unique opportunities for cultural exchange, professional development and learning.

"QPAC is working towards developing a number of strategic relationships in China and Asia to assist with opportunities for Queensland artists to perform internationally, to increase Queenslanders' opportunities to engage and learn about Asia through QPAC's program, to develop reciprocal professional development opportunities and to assist QPAC increase its global competitiveness," said Mr Kotzas.