In the modern era, capturing anyone’s attention for longer than 20 seconds is a heartbreak for journalists and creatives alike. But for Barton Green, the Chair of the Creative Brisbane Collab. and former CEO of the Committee for Brisbane, the goal isn’t just to capture attention — it’s to embed creativity into the very fabric of our city’s daily life.
I recently sat down with Barton to discuss the evolution of the Collab. and the success of the inaugural Creative Brisbane Awards, an event designed to prove that creativity is far more than just a “decoration” hung on a project at the end.
Bridging the Great Divide
The motivation behind the Collab. is a deep-seated desire to rewire the relationship between Brisbane’s corporate sector and its creative industries. Historically, this relationship has been purely transactional — patronage, sponsorships, or ticket sales.
“I had seen a gap between the knowledge that the corporate sector had about the arts and cultural sector and vice versa,” Barton explains. “They didn’t really understand each other very well.”
The spark moment occurred during a workshop when a corporate leader stood up and told a room full of artists:
“We’re all here because we want to work with you.”
That sentiment is what drives the Collab. today, which has grown from 80 members at its launch in March 2023 to over 400 affiliates now.
Proof of Concept: The 2026 Awards
If the Collab. is the engine, the inaugural Creative Brisbane Awards are the proof of concept. Rather than simply spotlighting a singular piece of art, these awards honour the collaboration that made the outcome possible.
“The awards were designed deliberately to celebrate the partnership that enabled that particular outcome to occur,” says Barton. “That doesn’t happen anywhere else in Australia that we have found.”
Across 10 categories, the winners demonstrated how creativity is influencing everything from public infrastructure and workplaces to life-saving digital tools. Key highlights included:
- The Inter[net]vention: An AI-driven digital suicide prevention campaign by BCM Group and LIVIN that provides support at the moment of need.
- ANZ’s Walk This Way: A collaboration with artists Craig & Karl that transformed Brisbane’s pedestrian bridges into immersive cultural infrastructure.
- Arup Brisbane Headquarters: A multidisciplinary project integrating First Nations storytelling and biophilic design into a CBD workplace.
- Charcoal Stories: A community-funded First Nations public artwork in West End that celebrates Brisbane’s literary voices.
Even the trophies themselves told a story — hand-crafted from recycled materials by a proudly neurodivergent mother who employs only artists with disability.
Seven Pillars for a City’s Soul
The awards align with the Collab.’s recent Cultural Legacies Report, which sets out seven principles for cultural legacy success as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Barton is adamant that we cannot wait until the Games are closer to start this work. “Our view was that’s too late,” he says. The focus is now on Phase II, turning those principles into actionable plans led by major firms like Hassell, Publicis Worldwide, and Arup.
“Creativity needs to be the influencer from day dot in any project.”
Barton Green, Chair — Creative Brisbane Collab.
Whether it is the design of a new stadium or the murals enlivening our alleyways, he sees these as essential to the character of a city that is “best experienced, not described.”
The Road Ahead
As the Collab. moves toward a paid membership model in July 2025 to secure its longevity, the focus remains on advocacy and elevation. Barton wants to ensure the creative economy has a “senior seat at the table” during budget cycles and policy planning.
But beyond the boardrooms and reports, Barton’s personal passion remains clear. Though his long-time garage band, The Filberts, is playing its farewell gig later this year, he’s already looking for his next musical venture.
“I reckon this is a great city, and we’ve got to ensure that we keep it a great city as we grow,” he says. “Part of that is ensuring that we embed our cultural life and our behavioural mores… that friendliness is all part of the character of our city.”
To learn more about the award winners or to join the collaboration, visit creativebrisbane.com.au.
