Design Tracks

‘Design Tracks’ is an annual multi-day art education program for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander young people aged 15-19 in Queensland. Hosted by QAGOMA Learning, the program offers participants opportunities to work alongside established First Nations creative mentors, create professional networks and build on artistic skills. ‘Design Tracks’ encourages participants to feel inspired by the Creative Industries and consider their own future career pathways.

Each year, the program is co-designed with community stakeholders and mentors in response to a creative theme. Participants and their mentors work as a group to develop a creative response to this theme and share their ideas with peers and an industry panel at the conclusion to the program.

2026 programs

Design Tracks Cairns

‘Design Tracks: Cairns’ is an annual 4-day arts education program for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander young people from rural/remote North and Far North Queensland. Hosted by QAGOMA Learning, the program offers participants opportunities to work alongside established First Nations creative mentors. ‘Design Tracks’ encourages participants to feel inspired by the Creative Industries and consider their own future career pathways.

2026 Program

Open to rural and remote Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander participants aged 15-18 in Far North, and North Queensland.

Nominations open: 1 December 2025

Nomination close: 16 March, 2026

Program runs: 5-8 May, 2026

Submit Cairns application

Design Tracks Brisbane

‘Design Tracks: Brisbane’ is an annual 4-day arts education program for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander young people from across Queensland. Hosted by QAGOMA Learning, the program offers participants many rich opportunities to work alongside established First Nations creative mentors. ‘Design Tracks’ encourages participants to feel inspired by the Creative Industries and consider their own future career pathways.

2026 Program

Open to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander participants aged 16-18 from Southeast and Central Queensland.

Nominations open: 18 May, 2026

Nominations close: 27 July, 2026

Program runs: 18- 21 August, 2026

Submit Brisbane application

Past programs

Design Tracks 2025

In 2025, participants who attended Design Tracks, were challenged to examine the CIAF 2025 theme, ‘PAY ATTENTION!’. Participants engaged with First Nations Elders, artists, arts workers and precinct partners, to be more observant of cultural, social and political issues affecting their communities and working together, share a message via a creative response.

Learning from First Nations businesses and Cultural tours, participants were able to generate ideas, and through skills-building workshops with established First Nations Artists, they constructed creative works based on storytelling and lived experience.

Design Tracks 2024

In 2024, participants who attended Design Tracks Brisbane in August, were challenged to examine the Brisbane cultural precinct using the CIAF 2024 theme, ‘Country Speaks, are we listening?’. Participants engaged with First Nations Elders, artists, arts workers and precinct partners, to consider responsibilities to country in urban settings, and within cultural institutions.

Through various tours and workshops, participants were able to generate ideas and construct meaning through storytelling and hands-on making.

Design Tracks 2023

In 2023, participants who attended Design Tracks Cairns, were challenged to examine the Cairns cultural ecology and its commitment to wellbeing for all, particularly how it supports Elders in community. Engaging with First Nations Elders, artists, arts workers, and local businesses, participants considered ways to better represent First Nations community’s histories and knowledge.

Working in small groups enabled mentors to help participants feel comfortable and provide considered guidance while modelling the creative skill sets of collaboration, empathy, and deep listening.