Perth Art Galleries

(Perth, Western Australia - WA, Australia)

The city of Perth is teaming with art galleries of all sizes and stature, all of which are completely free to enter and enjoy. Most tourists tend to make a beeline straight for the Art Gallery of Western Australia, which was founded in 1979 and is a part of the popular Perth Cultural Centre. Each year some 400,000 people come here, to soak up the enormous collection of art on display.

The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is another very notable gallery and serves as the principal venue for contemporary visual and performance arts in Western Australia. Others may like to check out the neighbouring Fremantle Arts Centre, which is actually a historical landmark in its own right and started its life as a hospital, being constructed using convict labour in the 1860s. Particularly popular are the free concerts staged here each Sunday.

Art Gallery of Western Australia

Address: Perth Cultural Centre, 47 James Street, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9492 6600
The renowned Art Gallery of Western Australia is located in central Perth, in the old Police Courts, which were built in 1905. Featuring an excellent selection of more than 15,000 spectacular paintings and sculptures, this is one of the most popular galleries in the city, and understandably so. The Centenary exhibition space features some truly stunning Australian paintings, such as 'Down on his Luck' by Fred McCubbin and 'Breaking the News' by John Longstaff. Other attractions here include guided tours and a variety of rotating exhibitions.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00.
Admission: free

Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)

Address: Perth Cultural Centre, 51 James Street, Northbridge, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9227 6144
Standing next to the State Records Office of Western Australia, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is housed in a large red-brick building, which dates as far back as 1896. Previously a school until the 1980s, when the Institute of Contemporary Arts was established here, attractions include an impressive collection of modern paintings, numerous studios, a small theatre with regular productions, and lots of temporary exhibitions all through the year. Many further attractions are just a matter of minutes away, including the ever-popular Art Gallery of Western Australia and the JS Battye Library.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 11:00 to 19:00
Admission: free

Craftwest Centre for Contemporary Craft

Address: 357-365 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9226 2799
Situated on Murray Street, between Barrack Street and William Street, the Craftwest Centre for Contemporary Craft is full of modern pieces, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and much more besides. This is a popular commercial venue and features a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the calendar.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Creative Native Aboriginal Art Gallery

Address: Forrest Place, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9221 5800
The commercial Creative Native Art Gallery is to be found within the Forrest Chase area of the city, just across from the Western Australia Visitors Centre, where it is dedicated to authentic Aboriginal art and didgeridoos. This large facility was founded in 1987 and is full of interesting art work and historic artefacts, perfect for holiday souvenirs.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 09:00 to 17:30, Friday - 09:00 to 21:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Fremantle Arts Centre

Address: 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9432 9555
The much-visited Fremantle Arts Centre resides in nearby Fremantle, within easy reach of Perth. Featuring stunning modern paintings and sculptures, the Fremantle Arts Centre regularly hosts large exhibitions of contemporary works. This venue is conveniently situated close to the Fremantle train station and is therefore easy to reach. Of note, the Army Museum of Western Australia is a mere block away, as is the John Curtin College of the Arts and Fremantle Park.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00.
Admission: free

Gallery East

Address: 94 Stirling Highway / Staples Street, North Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9336 6231
Gallery East, in the North Fremantle district and just off the Stirling Highway, specialises in affordable Asian and Western works of art. Close to the North Fremantle train station, this popular facility often features many unique and quite unusual items.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Greenhill Galleries

Address: 37 King Street, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9321 2369
The centrally located Greenhill Galleries stands within the Northbridge area and contains a large and varied selection of contemporary art, as well as plenty of traditional Aboriginal works. Close to an underground train station and His Majesty's Theatre, Greenhill features a number of temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year. Attractions within walking distance include the city's Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Concert Hall and Langley Park, next to the Swan River.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Japingka Gallery

Address: 47 High Street, Fremantle, 6160, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9335 8265
The Japingka Gallery was the founding member of the Australian Indigenous Art Trade Association and is situated in the Fremantle area, approximately 19 km / 12 miles to the southwest of the city centre, close to the University of Notre Dame Australia. Founded in 1995, the Japingka is a commercial art space covering two floors and regularly holding exhibitions of indigenous fine art by Australian Aboriginal artists, many of which are now quite famous.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 17:30, Saturday - 10:30 to 17:30, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:30
Admission: free

Photography Gallery of Western Australia

Address: 51-53 James Street Mall, Northbridge, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9227 6620
The Photography Gallery of Western Australia is situated in the city centre, being conveniently close to the Wellington Street Bus Station, the State Library, the Western Australia Museum and the city's Cultural Centre. This is a commercial exhibition space, regularly hosting temporary photographic exhibitions by leading photographers from all over Western Australia and the rest of the world.
Open hours: Wednesday to Friday - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: free