Perth’s best art galleries
Although our beautiful beaches and natural landscapes are often cited as Western Australia’s major drawcards, our beautiful state is also home to a number of unique art galleries well worth exploring.
Of course you’ve got the iconic AGWA, but also a range of lesser-known independent contemporary galleries across the Perth metro area.
Read on for the best art galleries around Perth below:
Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA)
Set within a Bauhaus-meets-Brutalist behemoth of a building, AGWA is a true icon of Perth. Located in the heart of Perth’s Cultural Centre, the public gallery is home to the impressive State Art Collection which is comprised of more than 18,000 works from the late 1800s to today and features thousands of significant artworks from First Nations artists. Alongside its impressive state collection, AGWA hosts exhibitions from national and international artists across a range of styles and mediums and showcases the finalists of the renowned Lester Prize. After taking in all the art, don’t forget to head up to AGWA’s bar for a drink or two with a view.
Perth Cultural Centre
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)
But a stone’s throw from AGWA is Perth’s home of contemporary art, PICA. Delivering a diverse annual program of contemporary art exhibitions, experimental theatre, new music and dance, PICA is not your typical art gallery. Showcasing changemakers and trailblazers, expect to find surprising and thought-provoking work at each PICA exhibition, all of which are free. PICA also hosts a range of events including insightful artist talks, workshops and regular After Dark events which celebrate art and culture and feature local DJs.
51 James Street, Northbridge
Cool Change Contemporary
If you want to support cool people doing cool things, head over to Cool Change Contemporary. The volunteer and artist-run initiative now showcases emerging local and international artists in their new light-filled space above Hay Street after moving from their Bon Marche Arcade location last year. Founded after Moana Project Space disbanded, Cool Change aims to provide a place for critically engaged work and hosts a monthly program of exhibitions alongside regular performances, screenings, workshops and events.
Level 2, King’s Complex, 533 Hay Street, Perth
Pig Melon
Opening in 2019, Pig Melon aims to be an empowering creative hub to emerging and established artists. This independently-run, mixed-use space is used for exhibitions, intimate live music, performances and more.
181 Lord Street, Perth
Stala Contemporary
Championing home-grown local artists, Stala represents and exhibits a broad range of artists working across a variety of mediums. Within its newly renovated gallery in West Leederville, you’ll find paintings, ceramics, sculptures and more, including Ellen Norrish’s quotidian studies of Milo, cat food and tea tins and Ayad Alqaragholli’s dynamic sculptural forms.
11 Southport Street, West Leederville
The Zig Zag Gallery
Up in the scenic Perth Hills, Kalamunda’s light-filled Zig Zag Gallery shines a spotlight on local artists who often draw inspiration from the area’s stunning natural surroundings. From textile art and paintings to sculpture, Zig Zag exhibits a range of mediums from a variety of regional artists and also hosts events like artist talks and painting workshops.
50 Railway Road, Kalamunda
FORM Gallery & Cafe
Another hub for contemporary art is Claremont’s FORM Gallery (formerly known as The Goods Shed), which presents itself as a space for creativity, learning, culture, community, and, very importantly, good coffee. In addition to exhibitions from local artists, FORM also plays host to art conferences, mixers, talks and other events. FORM is also the force behind the Pilbara’s Spinifex Hill Studio which is home to award-winning artworks from First Nations artists.
4 Shenton Road, Claremont
Goolugatup Heathcote Gallery
Part of the redeveloped cultural precinct, Goolugatup Heathcote is a stunning riverside gallery that offers a curated program that is remarkable in its variety, quality and dedication to fostering local talent. In addition to showcasing local art through its exhibitions and artist-in-residence program, the gallery also has a gift shop filled with works made solely by Perth artists.
Derbal Yerrigan Swan House, 58 Duncraig Road, Applecross
Fremantle Arts Centre
Another behemoth in Perth arts, the Freo Arts Centre has been a cultural hub for WA since the ’70s. Built by convicts in the 1860s, the building itself has a storied history, being used as a lunatic asylum, a women’s home, wartime accommodation for American servicemen in World War Two, and then a technical school before its transition to an arts centre. The program of exhibitions is always groundbreaking in both its subject matter and medium, while its event calendar is consistently packed with fun events, from gigs and music festivals to craft workshops.
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1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle
PS Art Space
This heritage-listed progressive project space presents a highly curated program of exhibitions and events, ranging from intimate music performances to object and lighting design group shows. Located in an almost 120-year-old warehouse on Pakenham Street, PS Art Studios offers 36 spaces, making it WA’s largest independent artist studio.
22-26 Pakenham Street, Fremantle
Wanneroo Regional Gallery
The Wanneroo Regional Gallery is a vibrant community space celebrating the northern suburbs of Perth with regularly rotating exhibitions ranging from local high schools all the way up to their early-2024 Andy Warhol ICONS exhibition.
Wanneroo Library & Cultural Centre, 3 Rocca Way, Wanneroo