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For nearly a decade, Alex Raineri<\/span><\/span> has been building something Brisbane\u2019s cultural scene didn\u2019t previously have \u2013 a large-scale platform dedicated to new Australian classical music and boundary-pushing artistic collaboration.<\/p>\n As artistic director and producer of Brisbane Music Festival<\/span><\/span>, Raineri has transformed the event from an ambitious idea launched in 2018 into a nationally recognised festival employing artists, commissioning original works and creating opportunities across the live performance sector.<\/p>\n \u201cI founded the festival in 2018 and it has presented massive seasons annually ever since,\u201d he says.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m really proud that the festival has commissioned more than 10 hours of new Australian music, most of which has now been released on commercial albums.\u201d<\/p>\n That work earned Raineri recognition as a finalist in InDaily<\/em> Queensland\u2019s 40 Under 40 Awards in 2025 \u2013 a program that celebrates emerging leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers making an impact across business, community and the arts.<\/p>\n But the nomination itself came as a surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cMy friend, the incredible violinist and entrepreneur Dr Courtenay Cleary,<\/span><\/span> was a winner in 2024,\u201d Raineri says. \u201cShe thoughtfully nominated me for last year\u2019s awards.\u201d<\/p>\n Today, with nominations open for this year\u2019s program, Raineri is encouraging other Queenslanders under 40 to recognise the value of their own work and put themselves forward.<\/p>\n \u201cHave unwavering belief in the impact of your work, even if it sometimes feels like your monumental efforts are only a drop in the ocean,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n It\u2019s advice shaped by years spent growing Brisbane Music Festival into a major creative organisation operating within a highly competitive and often under-resourced sector.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough Brisbane Music Festival, I run a live-events business that provides employment for many of Australia\u2019s artists and arts workers,\u201d Raineri says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe festival also commissions a significant amount of new musical works, and foregrounds contemporary music and collaborations that push the envelope of artistic norms.<\/p>\n \u201cIn short, the festival fills an otherwise mostly unoccupied space in Brisbane\u2019s cultural landscape for new art music and classical music.\u201d<\/p>\n While audiences experience the festival through performances and artistic programming, behind the scenes the organisation functions much like any entrepreneurial venture \u2013 balancing budgets, building partnerships, securing funding and managing large-scale productions.<\/p>\n That combination of creativity, leadership and commercial acumen is increasingly reflected in the calibre of Queensland\u2019s 40 Under 40 finalists, who come from industries spanning technology, hospitality, finance, health, construction, media and social enterprise.<\/p>\n For many alumni, the recognition becomes more than a professional milestone. It can elevate visibility, strengthen networks and help organisations grow beyond their existing reach.<\/p>\n Raineri says the impact was immediate for Brisbane Music Festival.<\/p>\n \u201cThe visibility and kudos of winning a prestigious award such as the 40 Under 40 has assisted in catapulting the Brisbane Music Festival to further heights in terms of our scope and reach,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Recognition of arts leadership within a business-focused awards program also highlights the evolving definition of entrepreneurship in Queensland. Increasingly, founders and leaders are being recognised not only for financial success, but for cultural contribution, innovation and long-term community impact.<\/p>\n Brisbane Music Festival\u2019s continued expansion reflects that broader shift.<\/p>\n Since launching in 2018, the festival has developed a reputation for championing contemporary Australian music and presenting collaborations that challenge traditional expectations of classical performance. Alongside concerts and commissions, the organisation has also helped create sustainable opportunities for artists and arts workers navigating a rapidly changing creative economy.<\/p>\n Raineri believes programs like 40 Under 40 help shine a light on those efforts \u2013 particularly for leaders working outside traditional corporate industries.<\/p>\n \u201cFor these reasons and more, I felt confident in the strength of the festival\u2019s chances of being recognised in these awards,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n As nominations open for this year\u2019s InDaily<\/em> Queensland 40 Under 40 Awards, Raineri hopes more emerging leaders will embrace the opportunity to showcase their work, whether they are building businesses, launching creative ventures or leading change within their communities.<\/p>\n For many, he says, the hardest step is simply recognising that their work matters.<\/p>\n