Matildas Moving House

Kitty Goodall Reports

Queensland theatre industry’s night of nights, The Matilda Awards is preparing for a significant evolution as it moves to QPAC for the 38th annual ceremony on 2 March 2026. The Matildas have always reflected the pulse of Queensland’s live entertainment sector, but this new chapter brings a scale and visibility that better matches the future of the industry.

Arts Minister the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek MP is in favour of the move, saying, “For nearly four decades, The Matilda Awards have celebrated the exceptional talent that defines Queensland’s theatre community. This next chapter ensures artists across the state, from Cairns to the Gold Coast, are recognised, supported and celebrated on Queensland’s biggest stage.” It is a sentiment echoed by Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who describes the Awards as, “A launchpad for careers and a celebration of the creativity that drives Brisbane’s cultural heartbeat.”

The Awards’ renewed multi-year funding from Arts Queensland and support from Brisbane City Council provides welcome stability at a time when the sector is striving for long term sustainability. This investment strengthens The Matildas’ capacity to recognise excellence across the state and reinforces their role as a key cultural touchstone for Queensland’s performing arts community.

Chair of the Matilda Awards Nigel Lavender says, “It’s a privilege to lead the Matildas at such an exciting time. We thank Brisbane Powerhouse for their valued hosting in recent years and previous committee members’ service. Our renewed funding support and QPAC partnership ensures Queensland’s theatre-makers will continue to be celebrated, receiving the recognition they so richly deserve.”

The shift is a natural progression for an event that’s embracing its role as a statewide marker of artistic excellence. Regional artists have long shaped the cultural landscape and this new phase ensures their contributions will be visible within a more unified statewide story. The result is an event that feels more aligned with the ecology it represents: diverse, ambitious and quietly confident in its own artistic identity.

A QPAC-hosted event carries symbolic weight too, positioning Queensland artists on a stage shared with companies of national and international stature. QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy also feels it will bring a renewed sense of communal momentum, saying, “Hosting the Matilda Awards for the next four years strengthens our connection with theatre-makers statewide and celebrates excellence in the very heart of Queensland’s performing arts.” It also presents opportunities for networking, community-building, and reflection within a sector that thrives on collaboration.

Nominees for the 2025 Matilda Awards will be announced in early January 2026 with tickets for the March ceremony on sale shortly after.

Image: L-R QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy, Hon. John-Paul Langbroek MP, Chair of The Matilda Awards Nigel Lavender