Minister for Tourism Stirling Hinchliffe announced that the festival is set to return, and it will feature a huge line-up of attractions aimed at celebrating the state's position as a worldwide hub for arts, innovation, technology and science. He added:
“It’s designed to capture imaginations as our great city is transformed by more than 60 installations known as ‘Curiocities’ across four precincts at the City Botanic Gardens, South Bank, South Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct and the Brisbane CBD."
Hinchliffe said almost 50 percent of the installations are national or world premieres, and 14 have also involved local artists.
In addition to local interest, it is expected the 17-day event, which is to be held from March 12 to 28, will attract upward of 325,000 visitors, which Hinchliffe believes could contribute as much as $14 million into the Brisbane economy.
Events such as Curiocity Brisbane have often been highlighted in brochure printing campaigns aimed at tourists and visitors.
This year, a number of new initiatives will be featured, including a Curious Conversations series with host Benjamin Law and a Schools Challenge involving six of the state's schools.
The major event will not only celebrate technology, art and science, but will also include Brisbane's World Science Festival and GOMA's The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire Up Late.