Curiocity returns to spark imagination, invention and innovation in 2020

Curiocity Brisbane will again challenge and inspire visitors of all ages in 2020 following its trailblazing debut in March 2019.

A celebration of creativity, innovation, science, technology and art, Curiocity Brisbane returns to the city, bigger and bolder, from 20 March to 5 April 2020.

Over three weeks, Curiocity Brisbane will deliver a program of immersive, interactive and multi-sensory experiences as along with the world-leading QODE technology and innovation festival (24 – 25 March), and globally-renowned events World Science Festival Brisbane (25 – 29 March) and the thought provoking and celebratory WOW (Women of the World) Australia 2020 (2 – 5 April), plus two special QAGOMA Water Up Late events (20 – 21 March).

More than 325,000 people attended the inaugural Curiocity Brisbane events, boosting ’s reputation as a world leader in science, technology, innovation and the arts.

The return of this flagship creative platform has been made possible by significant funding and a close collaboration between the , through Tourism and Events Queensland, and , through Brisbane Marketing.

Innovation Minister Kate Jones said Curiocity Brisbane would continue to build on the successful 2019 inaugural event.

“We invest in events because we know they drive visitation and support local jobs,” Ms Jones said.

“We developed this brand-new concept in 2019 to spark visitors’ curiosity and create buzz in Brisbane through the exploration of new innovative technologies and interactive artwork.

“Cultural tourism is booming globally. Events like this help to build up Queensland’s reputation globally as a haven for arts and culture.

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“More than 325,000 people attended the first festival last year. Combined, Curiocity Brisbane, QODE and the World Science Festival and generated nearly $15.9 million for Queensland.

“In 2020, Curiocity will continue to grow and deliver more than $17.3 million to the Queensland economy.

“Visitors will also get to enjoy a range of temporary interactive installations along the river, known as ‘Curiocities’, providing an immersive, sensory experience, which were a hit in 2019.”

Brisbane Deputy Mayor Cr Krista Adams said the city was proud to support the return of Curiocity Brisbane in 2020.

“Curiocity Brisbane is a powerful event through which Brisbane is showcased as an Asia Pacific hub for science, innovation, technology and the arts,” Cr Adams said.

“This important event shines a spotlight on Brisbane’s expertise, attracts global thought leaders and creates more to see and do for residents and visitors.

“Major events including Curiocity Brisbane inject more than $150 million for Brisbane’s economy every year and provide a valuable boost to our local tourism, hospitality, retail and service sectors.”

Guest Creative Director of Curiocity Brisbane and Artistic Director Kris Stewart said added events, new innovations and a greater digital footprint meant more visitors than ever could immerse themselves in the pioneering creativity of the city.

“The very nature of Brisbane is one of a future-facing city; one that inherently embraces imagination, innovation and invention,” Mr Stewart said.

“There is a sense of playfulness and a rich seam of creativity and curiosity that propels residents and visitors to reinvent themselves, discover their passions and do things a little differently.

“Curiocity Brisbane, in its second year, builds upon this idea of a ‘playable Brisbane’ where imagination, innovation, creativity, science, technology and art intersect and people of all ages can explore, invent and play.”

A range of free interactive installations and pop-up experiences will ignite curiosity across creative hubs throughout Brisbane including , | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), State Library of Queensland, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Victoria Bridge, , Reddacliff Place, New Farm Park and Captain Burke Park.

A highlight is the world premiere of Digital Domes, a pop-up at New Farm Park from 20 – 22 March. This collection of large geodesic domes will project the latest innovations in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), gaming and screen technologies.

QODE, a global technology and innovation festival for companies, government, investors, entrepreneurs and start-ups looking to influence and shape the global business landscape, will continue the momentum generated from its 2019 launch.

Chief QODE Officer and Managing Director of Messe International Jackie Taranto said the two-day event had positioned itself as a serious platform to showcase the innovation coming out of Queensland to a global community.

“QODE will welcome the world’s leading companies and thought leaders in the tech space and again thrust Queensland’s thriving start-up community under the spotlight,” Ms Taranto said.

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“More than 3000 delegates will take part in a genuinely immersive experience where they can glean insight from international experts, share content and experiences with dozens of exhibitors and meet the entrepreneurs behind the state’s most progressive start-ups.”

The popular and successful fifth annual World Science Festival Brisbane is another highlight of Curiocity Brisbane’s line up of events, with thousands of attendees expected to once again explore, create and play.

Queensland Museum Network CEO Dr Jim Thompson said Queensland Museum’s World Science Festival Brisbane 2020 program will be a fusion of science and arts, with a focus on the theme of Extremes and Adaptations. “Through a compelling program of signature events, conversations, and cinema the program will allow audiences the chance to explore the diversity of nature, the miracle of human existence and ingenuity, physics, and the mind-blowing promise of space,” Dr Thompson said.

“We’re also looking forward to delivering a new World Science Festival Brisbane regional program that will be rolled out throughout the year in Chinchilla, Gladstone and our museum campuses in Toowoomba, Townville and Ipswich in 2020.”

World Science Festival Brisbane explores and celebrates the intersection of science and art through a program of interactive workshops, engaging demonstrations, inspiring theatrical and cinematic experiences and idea-sparking conversations across Queensland.

Falling under Curiocity Brisbane’s banner for the first time is the internationally-established and agenda- setting WOW Australia 2020 at Brisbane Powerhouse from 2 – 5 April.

The festival will build upon the success of WOW at Festival 2018 in Brisbane, expanding and enhancing ongoing conversations with diverse groups of women from Queensland, across Australia and internationally.

Executive Producer of WOW Australia Cathy Hunt said “Uplifting, challenging and lifechanging, WOW is a global movement supporting women and girls – where they can share their stories, celebrate their extraordinary achievements, and find solutions to the many barriers that still prevent them from realising their full potential”.

“We want attendees to be inspired, learn new skills, go away and change the world.”

Sparking further curiosity and conversation about the interconnectedness of science, technology, arts and innovation, QAGOMA will present Water Up Late over two massive nights on 20 and 21 March.

In conjunction with the major summer exhibition at GOMA, Water Up Late will include leading Australian music acts performing on indoor and outdoor stages, pop-up performances, playful science activations, karaoke, bars, dining and more!

Stay up-to-date with the latest Curiocity Brisbane news, at curiocitybrisbane.com.

For more information on QODE and to purchase tickets, visit qodebrisbane.com.

For World Science Festival Brisbane program announcements and ticket sales, visit worldsciencefestival.com.au.

View the WOW Australia 2020 program and buy tickets at wowaustralia.com.au/wow-australia-2020.

Buy tickets to Water Up Late at qagoma.qld.gov.au/water.

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The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland and the Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development, and Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Marketing, is proud to support Curiocity Brisbane. which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Nat Ogbourne, Aruga PR Donna Kramer, Aruga PR M: 0437 836 649 M: 0422 589 902 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

About Curiocity Brisbane l 20 March – 5 April, 2020 l curiocitybrisbane.com Visitors and locals alike are invited to challenge their Curiocity when imagination, invention and innovation intersect in Brisbane over three weeks in 2020. Curiocity Brisbane is a collection of immersive, interactive and multi-sensory experiences at hubs throughout the city. Explore, create and play among a gallery of interactive and collaborative creations, augmented reality spaces and musical pop-ups.

ABOUT QODE l 24 – 25 March, 2020 l qodebrisbane.com

QODE is a festival for visionaries, pioneers and innovations drivers, with speakers from a wide range of backgrounds in industry, government, business, technology, science and society. Digital transformation is already in full swing. Artificial intelligence (AI), human-machine collaboration and platform economics are the drivers of this development, enabling innovative business processes and industrial growth. But what comes next? And what advantages are to be expected from the widespread use of future technologies and innovation? What will be the impact of the expansion of 5G networks and what potential does this hold? What new options will augmented and mixed reality applications open up for industry? And what new technologies will be the trendsetters in tomorrow’s fully connected world? These and other exciting topics will be in the spotlight at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre as attendees take part in QODE interactive sessions and share their experiences and ideas.

ABOUT WOW Australia 2020 l April 2 – 5, 2020 l wowaustralia.com.au/wow-australia-2020

WOW (Women of the World) is a global force supporting women and girls action and change. Aimed at girls, boys, women and men, WOW celebrates the achievements of women and girls and takes a frank look at the obstacles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. More than one million participants have been involved to date, making WOW one of the biggest movements of women and girls in the world. WOW Australia was first staged in Sydney in 2013 with Brisbane hosting the event in 2015 and 2018. Brisbane-based not-for-profit company Of One Mind works in partnership with London’s Southbank Centre and the WOW Foundation to facilitate the delivery of WOW Australia.

ABOUT WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL BRISBANE l 25 – 29 March, 2020 l worldsciencefestival.com.au

World Science Festival Brisbane explores and celebrates the entanglement of science and art through a curated program of thought-provoking conversations, inspiring theatrical and cinematic experiences, interactive workshops and engaging demonstrations. Originating in New York, Queensland Museum Network secured an exclusive licence to host World Science Festival in the Asia Pacific from 2016–21. The only global extension of this hugely popular initiative, World Science Festival Brisbane reinforces Queensland

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Museum’s position as a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and engagement.

ABOUT Water Up Late at The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) March 20 and 21, 2020 l qagoma.qld.gov.au

The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) has a signature Up Late program that offers audiences after dark access to major exhibitions, in this case ‘Water’, with the bonus of live music, pop-up performances, bars, dining and more! ‘Water’ presented at GOMA all through summer will feature work by more than 40 international and Australian artists. For more info and tickets to Water Up Late visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/water.

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