From thought-provoking exhibitions to groundbreaking theatre performances and impactful education programmes, Qtopia has quickly established itself as a vital space for learning, connection, and advocacy.
In 2025, Qtopia is set to build on this momentum with six new exhibitions, an exciting theatre line-up, and an expanded education programme – including a regional road trip bringing LGBTQIA+ history into schools across Australia. Additionally, its corporate initiatives continue to foster inclusivity in workplaces, bridging the gap between education and real-world change.
All of these experiences are opportunities to explore Qtopia, its vision, and what it hopes to bring to the people of Sydney and beyond.
To mark the milestone of a huge first year, and take a look into the future, we sat down with Qtopia’s Curatorial Director George Savoulis.
For those unfamiliar, what can you tell us about Qtopia Sydney? Where did its journey begin?
Qtopia Sydney is the world’s largest queer history and culture centre, a vibrant hub for storytelling, education and celebration. Our mission is to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices and honour the resilience and contributions of the queer community across history. February marks our one-year anniversary, and it’s incredible to reflect on what we’ve achieved in just 12 months. From welcoming over 16,000 visitors to hosting 19 powerful exhibitions and 276 unforgettable performances, Qtopia Sydney has become a dynamic space for connection and culture. We’ve also connected with 73 community groups and received two major awards for our exhibitions. The journey began nearly 40 years ago, inspired by the vision of the late Professor David Cooper, who dreamt of a space that would honour those impacted by HIV/AIDS. This vision was championed by our founder, David Polson AM, one of the first men diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Australia. Together with a passionate team, they transformed this dream into Qtopia Sydney, which now spans three locations in Darlinghurst and continues to thrive as a beacon for queer stories.
Can you give us a brief rundown of the six new exhibitions launching in early 2025? What stories and perspectives will these exhibitions bring to the forefront, and what makes them unique?
Absolutely! Our 2025 exhibitions bring a mix of bold, celebratory and thought-provoking stories:
The Male Body Is Still Taboo – 25 Years of DNA: This exhibition explores censorship and the societal taboos surrounding the male body, celebrating 25 years of DNA magazine’s history.
BE:DAZZLED: Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras Costume Extravaganza: A dazzling showcase of iconic Mardi Gras costumes, celebrating queer creativity and self-expression.
Kylie Minogue & Queer Devotion: An immersive journey into Kylie’s role as a cultural ally, exploring her deep connection with the LGBTQIA+ community through memorabilia and video footage.
In My Closet: Joyce Maynge 25: Spotlighting drag icon Joyce Maynge, this exhibition celebrates 25 years of drag artistry and activism.
Hung: A collection of provocative works by Archibald Prize finalist Jason Jowett, exploring themes of heartbreak, passion and resilience.
Lesbians Redefining Our World: A tribute to trailblazing lesbians like Penny Wong and Sam Kerr OAM, celebrating their contributions to society and queer visibility.
Each exhibition offers a unique perspective, weaving together personal stories, cultural milestones and artistic expression.
What themes or key messages are at the heart of these upcoming exhibitions? Are there any particular pieces or experiences within the exhibitions that you think visitors will find especially compelling?
At the heart of these exhibitions are themes of identity, resilience, creativity and community. They celebrate the courage to live authentically and honour the people who have fought for Queer visibility and rights. Anticipate a Kylie Minogue tribute with rare memorabilia, vibrant costumes from BE:DAZZLED, and Joyce Maynge’s intimate collection of drag stories. Jason Jowett’s work promises thought-provoking creativity, while DNA 25 offers archival treasures and body photography, celebrating 25 years of visibility. I can’t wait for visitors to see these stories from the community and the very different extraordinary talents within each.
Kylie Minogue & Queer Devotion
How has the community contributed to the curation and design of these new exhibitions? Are there any collaborative projects or partnerships you’d like to highlight?
The community is the heart of Qtopia Sydney. Over the past year, 521 volunteers contributed an incredible 6,500+ hours to Qtopia Sydney. Each exhibition is shaped by stories, artefacts and insights contributed by artists, historians and community members. For example, Lesbians Redefining Our World was developed in consultation with prominent figures in Australia’s lesbian community to ensure it reflects authentic experiences. We’re also proud of our partnerships with organisations who have played a crucial role in bringing out exhibitions to life, like Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) with BE:DAZZLED.
The inaugural theatre season in 2024 was a major milestone. Can you share what contributed to its success and how it resonated with audiences?
Our 2024 theatre season was a triumph, with 276 performances across 87 productions that brought unforgettable moments to over 9,000 audience members. The season succeeded because it embraced bold, unapologetic storytelling. The Substation, proudly supported by American Express, and Loading Dock Theatre have become spaces where queer voices thrive. Their intimate settings foster a rare sense of community, making every performance a meaningful experience.
What can audiences expect from the 2025 theatre programme? Are there any productions, themes or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?
The 2025 theatre programme builds on last year’s success with a mix of world premieres, Australian debuts and beloved classics. One of the stand-out productions of the 2025 season is 'Saints Of Damour', Qtopia Sydney’s first co-production, with playwright James Elazzi. The play delves deeply into themes of love, identity and resilience, beautifully embodying Qtopia Sydney’s mission to amplify queer voices through powerful storytelling.
Qtopia Sydney’s curriculum-approved education initiatives aim to inspire young Australians. What feedback have you received from students and educators, and what impact have these programmes had so far?
Students often share that our programmes help them feel seen and understood, while educators appreciate the opportunity to provide inclusive, meaningful learning experiences. With our curriculum-aligned programmes, we’re not just educating – we’re fostering empathy, challenging harmful behaviours and inspiring students to become advocates for change. We believe education saves lives.
The regional road trip planned for mid-2025 sounds incredible. What inspired this initiative, and what outcomes do you hope to achieve by bringing the educational programme to regional schools?
The Regional Roadtrip was inspired by the urgent need to make queer education accessible beyond metropolitan areas. Many regional students face isolation and a lack of LGBTQIA+ resources, making them more vulnerable to exclusion and bullying. This initiative will bring life-changing lessons on inclusion, diversity and kindness to up to 50 schools across NSW. Through workshops, case studies and anti-bullying programmes, we aim to create safer, more inclusive learning environments and empower young people to lead with kindness and courage. Our Town Hall Days will also give students a platform to collaborate on inclusive projects, amplifying the impact of our message across entire communities.
Qtopia Sydney has been working with businesses to foster inclusion and understanding. What kind of programmes have you offered, and how have they helped organisations build more inclusive cultures?
Our corporate programmes focus on identity and inclusion, providing workshops and team-building experiences that help businesses understand and embrace diversity. By sharing stories and practical tools, we’ve seen workplaces foster safer, more welcoming environments for LGBTQIA+ employees and customers.
What challenges has Qtopia Sydney faced in delivering such diverse programmes, and how have these challenges shaped the organisation’s approach to curating experiences for the community?
One challenge has been ensuring we reflect the full diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community while balancing resources. This has taught us to prioritise collaboration, authenticity and flexibility in our approach, allowing us to remain responsive to the needs of the community.
Looking beyond 2025, what is your vision for Qtopia Sydney? How do you see it continuing to innovate and make an impact on both local and global communities?
Ultimately, we hope Qtopia Sydney continues to be a space where queer stories are celebrated, identities are affirmed and meaningful connections are made. We want to be able to expand our impact and create lasting change across generations.
Qtopia Sydney is located at 301 Forbes Street (Darlinghurst). Additional venues The Substation and Toilet Block are at 136 Oxford Street (Taylor Square).
