A JOINT venture between a businessman and a jobs and training provider to create an indigenous performing arts centre in Cairns will showcase the talents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.

They hope The Cultural Place will become a model for indigenous people, particularly the young.

Work on the multi-million dollar centre near City Place is under way for completion by June next year.

The project is a partnership between a Torres Strait property owner and Choice Australia Management.

It will be developed on a property that includes the Bull Bar and Grill restaurant, a beer garden, retail shops, a Mexican restaurant and second floor administration offices opposite Ergon Energy in Lake St.

Choice chief executive officer Todd Hartley said it was a partnership between the businessman, who wished to remain anonymous, and Choice, which would manage and run the operation.

"He wants to create an inner-city cultural place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people," he said.

"It will probably be called, simply, The Cultural Place."

Mr Hartley said it was the dream of the man to create a venue for training, employment, performing and visual arts for indigenous people in the city centre.

There would be jobs for between 50 and 75 people.

Mr Hartley said it would be a place where indigenous people would be trained in hospitality, food and beverage and other courses, stage public cultural performances and sell arts, crafts and meals.

"It will be a one-stop shop for indigenous people where they will be trained, work and get jobs, give performances, tell their stories and sell their wares," he said.

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