Mackay

Mackay Arts

Mackay’s arts life brings together community choirs, stage musicals, dance training, visual-art practice, photography and hands-on making. You can join a singing project without an audition, develop a performance from the wings or centre stage, work with paint and printmaking, try ceramics or use a purpose-built studio for rehearsal and recording. Several local organisations also make room for inclusive participation, artist development, workshops and creative collaboration.

Whether you are looking for a first class, a regular group, a place to exhibit, or practical space for a project, these Mackay-area listings offer different ways to take part, make work and support local creative activity.

🎶 Music & Singing

Mackay Choral Society

This community choir brings adult singers together to perform repertoire ranging from Baroque music to jazz, in concert halls and outdoor festivals. Singers can join a project without an audition; the society asks for a love of singing and a willingness to practise. It is a practical choice for adults who want ensemble experience and shared performance.

Mackay

With One Voice Mackay

Operated by Creativity Australia, this community choir welcomes walk-ins and does not require an audition, previous experience or special skills. Rehearsals are held at the University of Queensland Theatrette in Mackay, making it an open, low-pressure way to sing with others and become part of a regular creative gathering.

90–92 Sydney Street, Mackay QLD 4740 · ☎ (03) 8679 6088

Conservatorium Academy

CQUniversity’s Conservatorium Academy provides creative and performing-arts training for school-aged children. In Mackay, its focus includes music and theatre, with musical-theatre classes combining dance warm-ups, drama and scene work, singing exercises and songs. Advertised age groups run from Prep to Year 12.

Mackay · ☎ (07) 4940 7800 — Conservatorium Academy Administration

🩰 Dance & Theatre Training

Theatre Arts Mackay Dance Excellence

This dance and performing-arts school teaches ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, acrobatics, drama, singing and musical theatre. Its classes cater from 18 months through to adults, so families, young performers and adult learners can find disciplines that combine movement, acting and musical performance.

14A Tennyson Street, Mackay QLD 4740 · ☎ 0417 714 571

Performa Studios

Performa Studios offers training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, musical theatre and acrobatics. Recreational students may trial two classes before enrolling. Prospective Platinum Performa Team students are asked to contact the studio about class placement, keeping the performance-team pathway distinct from general recreational classes.

Upstairs, 226 Victoria Street, Mackay QLD 4740 · ☎ 0431 308 430

Theatre Bug Mackay

Theatre Bug Mackay is a drama and musical-theatre teaching studio offering classes, private lessons and eisteddfod preparation. The studio accepts new students from Mackay, with classes taught by Leisa Persson. Private tuition and group learning give performers different ways to develop theatre skills.

1/7 Victoria Street, Mackay QLD 4740

🎭 Theatre & Performance

Mackay Musical Comedy Players

This not-for-profit community theatre company produces stage musicals and provides membership and audition pathways. Participation extends beyond performing: members can explore directing, musical direction, choreography, backstage crew, lighting, sound, sets, props and costumes. It suits people who want to build a production together, whether their contribution is on stage or behind it.

44 Lamb Street, Mackay QLD 4740 · ☎ 0415 234 012

Crossroad Arts

Crossroad Arts develops contemporary performance and community arts, with workshops spanning visual art, costume, creative make-up, drama, movement, sound and theatre-making. Its current programs welcome participants with and without disability and people who are d/Deaf. People can also become involved as performers, technicians, stage crew, arts workers or volunteers.

55 Wood Street, Mackay QLD 4740 · ☎ (07) 4953 5122 — workshop, performance and general enquiries

🎨 Visual Artists & Studios

Artspace Mackay

Artspace Mackay is a council-operated contemporary regional gallery presenting local, national and touring exhibitions. Its public programs include talks and workshops, while public-art walks and artist-development workshops connect audiences with Mackay’s creative work. Emerging local artists can also find opportunities through exhibition programs.

61 Gordon St, Mackay QLD 4740 · ☎ (07) 4961 9722 — Artspace Mackay enquiries

Mackay Art Society

This not-for-profit fine-art society gives regional artists a place to practise and exhibit, alongside a Mackay-based gallery. Classes and workshops cover oils, acrylics, watercolour, drawing and pastels, offering several traditional media for artists developing technique or returning to regular practice.

2 Snow Wright Court, Beaconsfield QLD 4740 · ☎ 0459 245 036

Retreat on Janz Art Studios

This working art-studio venue offers creative workshops and tailored art experiences for individuals and groups. Published media and processes include batik, mixed-media drawing and painting, calligraphy, printmaking, digital imaging, video production, sculpture, wide-format printing and 3D resin printing. Visits are promoted through advertised events and open-studio occasions.

20–22 Janz St, Slade Point, Mackay QLD 4740 · ☎ 0427 512 761 — Glenda · ☎ 0408 512 761 — Perry

🧵 Craft & Making

Sunset Ceramics

Sunset Ceramics runs Mackay-region workshops in paint-your-own ceramics, wheel throwing and hand building, with private workshops available by enquiry. The wheel-throwing workshop is listed as suitable for people with no experience, making it possible to begin with clay without needing previous studio skills.

Mackay region

📷 Photography, Film & Digital Arts

Mackay Camera Group Inc.

Mackay Camera Group welcomes photographers from beginners through to experienced practitioners. Its program includes monthly meetings, outings, workshops, photo competitions and critiques, creating regular opportunities to make images, discuss technique and share work with other photographers.

Jubilee Community Centre, Sarina Meeting Room, Gordon Street, Mackay QLD 4740

Birdcage Studios Mackay

Birdcage Studios is a hireable photography, content and event studio for creative projects, small businesses, content creators and event hosts. Prospective users can enquire about touring or booking the flexible studio spaces, providing a dedicated setting for photography and content production.

Unit 8, 15 Carl Street, Rural View QLD 4740 · ☎ (07) 4806 3091 — studio enquiries

🛠️ Creative Spaces & Stagecraft

Studio 53 Mackay

Studio 53 provides purpose-built performing-arts studios for hourly, recurring and longer-term hire. The spaces support dance classes and rehearsals, private and solo tuition, musical theatre, band rehearsals, vocal tuition and piano practice. Its specialised music room includes an upright piano and acoustic treatment.

53 Gregory Street, Mackay QLD 4740 · ☎ +61 407 000 689 — manager

The Just Saying Project

Centred on women’s stories, The Just Saying Project also offers a hireable 80-square-metre creative community space. The venue can host workshops, photography, community gatherings, meetings and launches, with flexible furniture, a PA system, kitchen access and Wi-Fi. Selected styling, backdrops and AV are available as add-ons.

Shop 5, 31 Wood Street, Mackay QLD 4740

🤝 Arts Organisers & Community Connections

Mackay Creatives Inc.

This volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation promotes local artists and arts groups across the Greater Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions. Its online network helps artists and community groups connect, exchange ideas and collaborate, while fee-based auspice support provides an additional way for creative projects to be organised.

Greater Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions

Queensland Writers Centre — Writing Sunday Mackay

Writing Sunday Mackay is a local writing group meeting at Dudley Denny Library on the first Sunday of the month, except April 2026. Bookings are not needed, so writers can bring work, ideas or simply a wish to write alongside others in a regular community setting.

Mackay

Mackay’s creative choices stretch from a first choir rehearsal or ceramics session to the teamwork of a musical, the concentration of a photography critique or the shared energy of a community workshop. Audiences can visit exhibitions and public-art programs, while artists and organisers can find spaces, networks and practical places to develop work.

Are you a Mackay artist, maker, teacher, company, community group or arts-support business? You are warmly invited to add or update your listing so local people can discover the creative work and opportunities taking shape across the region.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on mackay.city.