Brisbane’s most impactful creative collaborations were recognised at the inaugural Creative Brisbane Awards, celebrating the partnerships transforming the city’s cultural identity, strengthening communities and driving innovation across sectors.
Winners across 10 categories were announced at a special ceremony at Brisbane City Hall on Tuesday 28 April, bringing together leaders from the city’s creative, corporate, philanthropic and cultural sectors.
From life-saving digital innovation to large-scale public art and youth-led platforms, the winners reflect the depth and diversity of Brisbane’s creative economy and the power of collaboration to deliver measurable social, cultural and commercial impact.
Presented by the Creative Brisbane Collab; the awards honour the partnerships that turn bold ideas into real-world outcomes, spanning First Nations storytelling, disability inclusions, urban transformation, workplace innovation and youth development.
The awards are presented by South Bank Corporation and supported by Brisbane City Council.
The Creative Brisbane Awards 2026 Winners
Best Philanthropic or Fundraising Collaboration
The Inter[net]vention – Digital Suicide Prevention Campaign
By BCM Group in collaboration with media agencies and LIVIN, a suicide prevention and mental health organisation.
An AI-driven digital campaign using targeted advertising to identify and reach people at risk of suicide in real time. Digital media tools are repurposed into a live intervention system that delivers support at the moment of need. It is now a permanent program.
Best Strategic Collaboration (Sponsored by Kiosk Film)
ANZ’s Walk This Way by Craig & Karl
By Brisbane Festival in collaboration with ANZ, Griffith University Art Museum, Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane City Council and artists Craig Redman and Karl Maier.
Large-scale public art transformed Brisbane’s pedestrian bridges into immersive cultural infrastructure during Brisbane Festival 2025. Delivered through complex cross-sector collaboration, the project embedded bold design into everyday city movement.
Best First Nations and Industry Collaboration (Sponsored by QPAC)
Charcoal Stories
By POPSART and Chrysalis Projects, in collaboration with artist Vernon Ah Kee, Milani Gallery, Iscariot Media, Avid Reader Bookshop, Tim Bennetton Architects, All City Walls, Drakos and Co, Resene Paints, Gadens Lawyers, (the late) Cameron Eaton, Bligh Tanner, Jonothan Oldham, Caroline Gardam and UAP | Urban Art Projects.
A striking First Nations-led public artwork transformed a West End bookshop façade into a permanent celebration of Brisbane’s literary voices. Featuring 52 hand-painted panels with a strong focus on Aboriginal authors, the work was realised through a community-funded model.
Best Art in the Workplace Collaboration (Sponsored by Aruga)
Arup Brisbane Headquarters
By Arup, in collaboration with Hassell, Five Mile Radius, Blaklash and Keisha Leon.
This three-level CBD workplace integrated First Nations art, biophilic design and cultural storytelling. Delivered through a multidisciplinary collaboration, the space features over 1,900 plants, “winter garden” environments and a striking mirrored ceiling artwork referencing local waterways. Co-designed to strengthen connection to Country, sky and place within a high-rise setting, the project embeds art into the everyday workplace experience.
Best Innovation Collaboration (Sponsored by BCM Group)
Artwork Ingredient List
By UAP | Urban Art Projects in collaboration with Griffith University and Future Normal.
A world-first sustainability tool measuring the carbon impact of artworks across their full lifecycle, mapping materials, labour, energy use and emissions. Developed in Brisbane for global application, it is now used internationally by leading galleries and institutions as a benchmark for environmentally responsible art production.
Best Collaboration with Creative Youth (Sponsored by m4m agency)
Backbone Hub Residency + Festival
By Backbone Youth Arts, in collaboration with Madeleine Leite, Tainika Potane, Kelsey Dell, Anabella Gregory, Nathaniel Crossingum and others.
A youth-led platform enabling emerging artists aged 18–25 to develop, produce and present original work with real industry support. Across the program, 35 artists delivered five productions over 17 performances, building audiences, generating income and expanding professional networks.
Best News and/or Social Media Collaboration (Sponsored by Griffith University)
Sold-out seasons and standing ovations – Queensland Theatre Company’s 2025 Season
By Aruga in collaboration with Queensland Theatre Company.
An integrated storytelling campaign replacing traditional marketing with a long-form, narrative-led approach across PR, social and digital. The strategy elevated artists and deepened audience connection, delivering major audience growth and box office uplift.
Best Industry Collaboration with People with Disability or Who are d/Deaf
Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols 2024
By The Little Red Company, in collaboration with Brisbane City Council, Nine Network and Madeleine Little.
The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols 2024 was Australia’s first fully Auslan-interpreted national broadcast and set a new benchmark for accessibility in large-scale live and televised events. Delivered through multi-year collaboration, the production embedded inclusive design across every touchpoint, from performance to broadcast.
Best Urban or Public Art Collaboration
The Big Hose
By UAP | Urban Art Projects in collaboration with Queensland Art Gallery I Gallery of Modern Art and artists Tony Albert and Nell.
A 119-metre interactive riverfront artwork transformed Brisbane’s cultural precinct through play, storytelling and large-scale public engagement. The installation has already engaged more than 80,000 children and was delivered through a philanthropic funding model.
City of Brisbane award for Outstanding Creative Contribution
Yaron Lifschitz, Artistic Director and CEO of Circa
Yaron Lifschitz is an internationally acclaimed artistic director who has transformed Circa into one of the world’s leading contemporary circus companies, touring globally and redefining the art form. His leadership has positioned Brisbane as a powerhouse of contemporary performance.
The 2026 Creative Brisbane Awards were held Tuesday 28 June at Brisbane City Hall.
For more information visit the Creative Brisbane website.
Website: https://www.creativebrisbane.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/creativebrisbane/
Hero image: Backbone Hub Residency, supplied.
