Cox Architecture designed Quampi Centre to become new hub for Quandamooka Festival

Designed through a collaborative process between the Quandamooka community and acclaimed architecture firm Cox, QUAMPI Arts & Culture Centre on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) will become the new hub for Quandamooka Festival.

QUAMPI integrates elements of the land and sea - rammed earth, shells, and native timbers - symbolising the deep connection to the environment that has sustained the Quandamooka people for thousands of years.

The Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) is progressing plans to open the newly built QUAMPI Arts & Culture Centre in September.

QUAMPI will be the new 'home' for Brisbane and Redlands Coast region of the popular annual Quandamooka music and cultural festival ('Festival').

After a successful return in 2024, this year, the Festival will incorporate the official opening of QUAMPI Arts & Culture Centre, which is set to be a major cultural tourism attraction for Queensland, showcasing Quandamooka arts, historical objects, story-telling, music and events.

QYAC Artistic Director Avril Quaill enthused "we're all very excited that QUAMPI is coming to life later this year, opening its doors to the public for the first time during the Quandamooka Festival.

"QUAMPI is a beautifully-designed facility with gallery and event spaces, comparable to Australia's regional art museums, where visitors to the island can experience and appreciate more about Quandamooka Peoples' and other First Nations' ancient and contemporary cultural and artistic expressions."

QYAC Chair Cameron Costello added "A cultural centre on Minjerribah has been a dream of the community for decades.

"Under the Minjerribah Futures program, we successfully pitched an upgrade from the original concept of a local $4 million community cultural centre to a $17 million world class regional gallery. With design input from the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, we have created a AAA rated facility that is capable of loaning art works and artefacts from state and national cultural institutions.

"Not only will QUAMPI put us on the map in terms of recognising our growing arts and cultural programs, it will be a real economic driver for the region, creating, secure jobs and career pathways for our people and the wider community.

"As a key deliverable of the Queensland Government's Minjerribah Futures program, QUAMPI will play a key role in bringing Quandamooka stories and culture to life, as preparations are underway for the hosting of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games."

After a two-year break, the Festival returned in 2024, attracted a record-breaking crowd.

QYAC is currently in discussions with Queensland's major music and festival event producers to strengthen partnerships and collaborations raising the 2025 Festival season to further local and international audiences.

COX Associate Director, Ali Farmer shared “located at Gumpi (Dunwich) and overlooking Moreton Bay, the Centre is part of a wider arts and culture program that extends well beyond the building footprint.

“This project has been a valuable step in COX’s ongoing Reconciliation journey. True co-design and collaboration emerge when we partner with communities, building both capability and confidence.

“Co-designed with the Quandamooka people, the Centre reflects the deep integration of land and sea into its construction, including rammed earth, shells and native timbers.

“It’s been a tremendous honour to work alongside Quandamooka Elders and community members over the past seven years. They’ve been incredibly generous in sharing their knowledge of people, place, and culture.”

QUAMPI is a key project of the Queensland Government’s Minjerribah Futures program, supporting the transition of Minjerribah from its past reliance on sand mining to a new future as a leading destination for cultural and eco-tourism. The Centre also received funding from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC).

More information on Cox Architecture

Image top. QUAMPI  facility with gallery and event spaces  Credit: Cox architecture; Image below. Quandamooka Festival 2024