How Perth became Western Australia’s new capital of culture

Twenty years ago, inner-city Perth was known more for its boisterous atmosphere than its cultural offerings. Today, it’s a favourite among young families to explore and learn together on a day out. The capital of Western Australia has blossomed into a vibrant artistic hub, home to museums, galleries and theatres. Its transformation is emblematic of a broader evolution – from a city once overlooked for its cultural credentials to a flourishing centre of creativity.

Long admired for its beaches and parkland, Perth is gaining international recognition for a dynamic arts scene. As one of the world’s most geographically isolated major cities, its remoteness has fostered a highly concentrated, collaborative creative scene and now boasts a growing portfolio of museums, galleries, Indigenous cultural programmes, live music venues and festivals.

“There’s been a noticeable rise in large-scale projects over the past few years,” says Sioux Tempestt, a Perth-based artist known for public art, such as murals and sculptures. “Public art here often reflects the city’s economic and urban growth: when there’s development happening, there are more opportunities for artists to contribute to shaping those spaces. It’s a competitive field, but the arts community is incredibly supportive.”

When the Chinese Mainland’s Terracotta Warriors were exhibited overseas this year, they bypassed global art hubs such as Paris, Rome or even Sydney. Instead, people visited Perth to see its striking new WA Museum Boola Bardip .

“This is a landmark era for Perth,” says Pete Stone, director of Creative Arts and Community at Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre. He notes how the city’s creative scene has become so rich that local artists don’t need to leave the city to access the world stage.

“There’s a strong integration of artists who create together across all disciplines,” Stone adds. “It’s a close-knit community operating in geographical isolation – and that’s its strength.”

The WA Museum Boola Bardip, Australia’s largest new museum, spans 64,600sq ft and sits atop an original 120-year-old building. This sleek, modern extension uses multimedia displays to explore Western Australia’s history, geography and cultural heritage. It also celebrates Indigenous contributions and explores how these communities have shaped WA over the past 60,000 years.

“There’s growing keenness among the Perth audience to explore, learn from and celebrate First Nations culture,” Stone says. “This has enhanced Perth’s cultural scene, as the artistic and cultural offerings here are authentic, reflecting the unique stories of the place, which is unlike any other.”

Located in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre , Boola Bardip anchors a precinct that includes the The Art Gallery of Western Australia, the State Theatre Centre, the State Library, the Blue Room Theatre and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts.

Together, these venues are part of the annual Perth Festival – Australia’s longest-running arts festival – which spans four weeks each February. The programme includes more than 100 events, many of them free, from film screenings and sculpture trails to Indigenous-themed operas and concerts covering jazz, rock, country, electronica and classical music.

March brings the Joondalup Festival , followed by the Perth Comedy Festival in April, which fills the city with laughter. Meanwhile, Fremantle, a port town 25 minutes southwest of the city centre, is a creative enclave in its own right. Known for its bohemian spirit and 19th-century architecture, it’s home to the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre , housed in a gothic limestone building dating to the 1860s.

Open daily with free entry, the centre hosts art classes, plays and concerts in its lush gardens. Exhibitions span painting, sculpture, multimedia, film, photography, history, cultural heritage and Indigenous art. From 5 to 7 December, it’ll put on its annual Bazaar Makers Market , where local artisans sell handmade woodwork, ceramics, jewellery and fashion.

Nearby, Vessel Contemporary and Japingka Aboriginal Art Gallery add further depth. The former showcases avant-garde art installations and documentaries, while the latter is a two-storey gallery with an art collection which houses more than 3,500 works by Indigenous artists, including Doris Gingingara and David Downs – with pieces on sale from just HK$1,600.

Meanwhile, jugglers, puppeteers, acrobats, clowns, contortionists, comedians and musicians are the stars of the annual Fremantle International Street Arts Festival, held from 3 to 6 April next year. “It’s quintessential Fremantle,” Stone says.

Live performance takes centre-stage during the 10-day Fremantle Festival in August, which previously featured acts including Irish comedian Paul Currie, and The Zimboys, a troupe of acrobats hailing from across Africa.

Experimental contemporary art is the focus of the Fremantle Biennale, held this year from 14 to 30 November. This year’s highlight, Room Service, sees artists take over 31 rooms to showcase poetry, sculpture and installations. All together, these events paint a picture of a new Perth; a city that’s showing the world how much fun can be had on the fringes.

Don’t miss

Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor

Until 22 February 2026

The exhibition features 225 artefacts from the Qin and Han dynasties, including 10 life-sized terracotta figures unearthed from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang.

Perth’s coup in securing the Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor exhibition underscores its emergence as a cultural force. Cathay Pacific played a key role in the venture, transporting more than 250 artefacts from Xi’an to Perth for the exhibition. As the official airline partner, Cathay Pacific and  Cathay Cargo helped move the precious objects over 22,500km across land and sea.

From their home in Xi’an, ancient warriors, weapons, armour and other ceramics were flown to Australia – some landing in Perth, others in Melbourne – before being driven to the WA Museum Boola Bardip.