Support the Performing Arts

The Empire Theatre is committed to the future of the arts in our region, seeking to provide opportunities to further the cultural experiences and professional development of young people in the Toowoomba region.

The Empire Theatres Foundation offers opportunities for young people who are at the beginning of their learning or establishment of their professional careers, supporting them to achieve their goals by providing support, workshops, projects, bursaries to advancement programs in a wide list of artisitic disciplines to encourage and best support the next generation's artists to excel.

Established in 2003, the Foundation is a registered charitable trust and in addition to it's commitment to supporting the future of the arts, is also entrusted with preserving and promoting the cultural heritage associate with the Empire Theatre.

Patron of the Empire Theatres Foundation is internationally renowned actor, Geoffrey Rush, who first experienced live theatre at the Empire as a child growing up in Toowoomba.

Through the generosity of community donations and bequests, Empire Theatres Foundation is able to offer a number of bursaries each year to young people across a range of disciplines in varying stages of their careers, from school students looking to develop their music or acting skills right through to established artists looking to further develop their career. Empire Youth Bursaires are offered annually while the prestigious Brian Boak Bursary for Outstanding perfomers is offered biennially.

Past recipients of both bursaries have gone one to have successful careers in the arts.