Vibrant and diverse, the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) is an inspirational centre of training excellence and innovation for contemporary dance, music, and acting. At RQI’s August general meeting, find out how ACPA has been fusing 50,000 years of history and contemporary performing arts education.

Announcing a special presentation at RQI’s August general meeting:

Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts

Situated at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts in Fortitude Valley, ACPA’s state-of-the-art studios attract students from communities all over Australia. They come to experience a learning environment which is challenging, demanding, motivating and, above all, nurturing of the talents of our young and emerging artists.

ACPA’s teaching framework emphasises individualised learning, developing each student’s potential to become an arts leader of the future.

Its strong global network ensures ACPA students are trained by industry experts, to build the technical capability and confidence they need for professional public performances, and to launch careers in the arts and entertainment sectors.

Fusing 50,000 years of history

ACPA’s Board Chair Leilani Pearce, and Chief Executive Officer Dr Dimitri Kopanakis will discuss how, in its 20th year, the centre has developed a stream of celebrated alumni, and continues to encourage excellence, professionalism and respect for Indigenous culture, and the expression of that culture through contemporary performance.

WHAT: Fusing 50,000 years of history and contemporary performing arts education.
WHEN: Saturday, 19th August 2017 at Mitchelton Library
WHERE: 37 Heliopolis Parade, Mitchelton from 1:00 pm – 3:45 pm

To reserve your place, please RSVP by email to events@rqi.org.au

All welcome. Entry is free, but donations gratefully received. Please bring a plate of food and/or refreshments as an afternoon tea contribution. More information about our guest speakers is below:

Dr Dimitri Kopanakis – Chief Executive Officer, ACPA

With a diverse career in the performing arts, Dimitri’s portfolio extends across Arts Management, Arts Practice and Arts Education, spanning the last 20 years.

Dimitri returned to Australia from his role as Senior Manager of Entertainment at The Venetian Macau, the world’s Largest Casino and Integrated Resort. In this role, he oversaw a multi-million dollar operation, managed nearly 60 in-house events each day, and led a team of nearly 100 creative staff from 16 different countries.

As an arts manager, Dimitri has previously been involved as both a company director and partner in a number of performance agencies, supplying both small and large-scale entertainment to the corporate and private sectors.

In roles ranging from producer, to conductor, to performer, Dimitri has worked extensively across Australia, and in more than 20 countries across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

As an arts educator, Dimitri has worked across all levels of formal education, in many metropolitan and regional institutions in Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Academically, Dimitri has completed a Professional Doctorate, a Master of Music Studies in Performance, and a Bachelor of Music Performance.

Leilani Pearce – Board Chair, ACPA

Leilani has extensive experience in providing services to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations to help build successful health and human services. She is an executive advisor in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy and on the board of ACT for Kids, the board of Children’s Health Queensland, and the owner of a cattle property in North Queensland.

Download an event flyer here [PDF 391KB]

We hope you can join RQI on August 19 to learn how the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts is fusing 50,000 years of history and contemporary performing arts education.