Arts and culture

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Perth city and surrounding regions are alive with a spectacular mix of music, theatre, comedy, dance and visual art.

This rich tapestry of cultural experiences is on offer the whole year round in diverse locations across the region. It is particularly rich during the Perth International Arts Festival held every February and March.

During this time, the city welcomes local and international artists to participate in a riot of shows across the region.

Arts and cultural experiences

Galleries and museums

Explore a variety of arts and cultural attractioons in Perth and surrounds including art galleries, museums, theatres, performance centres and more. Find out more

Public art walks

Check out some of the great public art walks in Perth created to enrich visitor understand of life and history of the city as they explore the region. Find out more

Outdoor cinemas

Pack a picnic, some wine and a rug and venture to one of the outdoor cinemas around Perth during the warm summer months and catch up on the latest movies, an old classic or something alternative. Find out more

Art and craft markets

Perth's stunning weather and fresh produce make for a thriving market culture. You'll find plenty of weekend markets all over the region, selling a whole range of fantastic local art and craft. Find out more

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Regional arts and culture

Fremantle

In Fremantle, the cultural offerings continue with shows, galleries and brilliant displays of street art. Fremantle has long been renowned for its eclectic mix of arty and alternative people. Its streets buzz with the song of buskers, the sidewalks fill with a wild collection of art and music floats out from trendy cafes and bars.

Then of course, there are the museums and the heritage buildings - walk among Fremantle's buildings or through a museum and you can almost hear the echo of the convicts and settlers who landed near Fremantle shores more than two centuries ago.
Swan Valley

In common with all areas of natural beauty, the Swan Valley has attracted a community of talented artisans and you're sure to be moved by the rich and varied range of arts on offer. Galleries and art and craft shops range from well known and sprawling displays to out of the way treasures tucked away in some hidden corner or courtyard. Guildford is particularly appealing with its heritage buildings, antique stores and arts scene.

Fundamental to the Swan Valley's culture and artistic evolution is its Aboriginal heritage. At the Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery you'll find a range of indigenous art. The gallery is also the base for Ngala Koondarm Boodjah cultural tours which offers visitors a fascinating insight into the Noongar people, their customs, history and stories.
Perth Hills

Perth Hills is home to many internationally acclaimed artists who use the stunning environment in which they live as inspiration for their work. These artists also gain inspiration for the rich heritage of the area, prevalent in historic character buildings, museums and heritage trails. The Mundaring Arts Centre is one of the State's largest community arts centres and is a major focus for local art. The gallery showcases a wide range of contemporary Western Australian art and craft.

In Kalamunda too, art is alive and well. The town library features the largest community-built stained glass window in Australia. The town also hosts a lively village market on the first Saturday of each month and features 140 stalls, many selling local arts and crafts.
Avon Valley

Amongst the beautiful old towns of the Avon Valley, one hour east of Perth, you can discover arts and crafts and a lively history. In York, WA's first inland European settlement, founded in 1831, you'll find quaint village streets and a range of interesting old buildings. Be sure to stop at historic gems like the Town Hall and the magnificent churches all lovingly restored. There are also many art galleries to visit.

Toodyay is rich in historic buildings, art and gorgeous scenery. In fact Toodyay has a wide range of resident artists whose works can be viewed in galleries, local businesses and the visitor centre.

In New Norcia, Australia's only monastic town, located north east of Perth, you will find a stunning collection of beautiful historical buildings, arts and fascinating culture. Be sure to stop in at the museum, which provides a fascinating insight into the monastery's history and showcases a selection of Aboriginal artefacts. The art gallery is just as appealing with works ranging from traditional religious art to funky contemporary pieces.

City arts and culture

Music lovers are in for a treat, with plenty of live music on offer especially in cultural hotspots like Northbridge, Subiaco and Fremantle. You’ll find music ranging from rock bands at trendy pubs to chilled-out jazz floating from wine bars and restaurants.

Perth is also emerging as a comedy capital, with hilarious local and international acts regularly on offer at special comedy clubs or pubs, especially in Northbridge.

Northbridge is also home to Perth’s Cultural Centre, which houses the Western Australian Museum, Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art. The Museum takes you on a journey from this ancient continent’s earliest days through to European settlement. It also places heavy emphasis on Western Australia’s rich Aboriginal heritage.

Be sure to catch a showing of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra – the state’s largest and busiest performing arts company. The orchestra plays traditional pieces as well as contemporary works and many of these shows are held outdoors under the stars, fusing music with the romance of a balmy Perth evening.

Theatres too are plentiful from grand stages like the 103-year-old His Majesty’s Theatre to intimate, out-of-the way stages offering alternative and avant-garde shows. His Majesty’s is the home of the West Australian Opera Company which performs world-class shows here throughout the year.

There are many Indigenous cultural experiences on offer in Perth that provide fascinating insights into Western Australia’s ancient Aboriginal culture. For stunning Aboriginal art displays close to the city, head to the Aboriginal Art and Craft Gallery on Mount Eliza in Kings Park which has been established for 16 years.

There’s also an Indigenous Heritage Tour in Kings Park where you can find out about the original West Australians who used and loved Kings Park for tens of thousands of years.