Originally an initiative of the Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government, the Ideas Festival began in Queensland in 2001. The Festival was conceived to:

• Engage leading thinkers and practitioners in the exchange of ideas;
• Investigate key issues for the future of Australian society and particularly for the people of Brisbane and Queensland;
• Contribute to ongoing informed, vigorous and inclusive debate;
• To promote and present Brisbane and Queensland as stimulating and supporting ideas and innovation.

Subsequent festivals have been held in 2003, 2006 and 2009, with venues changing from the Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm to most recently, the Cultural Centre at South Bank.

In 2009, the Ideas Festival was delivered by Arts Queensland as part of the Q150 celebrations and the Year of Creativity, with major sponsor Griffith University and featured a dedicated schools program for the first time.

The 2011 event will continue to develop the Ideas Festival audience. In partnership with the State Library of Queensland, the Festival will include a dedicated primary and secondary schools program, a Fringe Festival and three intensive residencies with government departments. Regional programming will also be strengthened, with public libraries in Rockhampton and Cloncurry hosting Festival projects and sessions.