When the Biennale of Sydney took over the heritage White Bay Power Station with awe-inspiring art installations last year – inviting the public to explore inside the freshly restored, formerly abandoned industrial monolith for the first time in over 100 years – it was arguably one of the coolest things to happen in the city in 2024. (And considering that the Biennale took out both the Critic’s Choice Award and People’s Choice Award for Best Art Exhibition in Time Out Sydney’s inaugural Arts & Culture Awards, we’d say that’s a pretty fair call.)
As such, we’re pretty stoked to let you know that the Biennale of Sydney has announced White Bay Power Station as the first venue confirmed for its 25th edition in 2026.
The Biennale welcomed more than 777,000 visitors across six venues in 2024, with the Power Station alone welcoming approximately 174,000 visitors, making it the most attended non-museum site in the history of the Biennale (this includes our original favourite Biennale spot, Cockatoo Island).
Mark your calendars: the next Biennale of Sydney will take place from March 14 to June 14, 2026 – and as always, entry to the Biennale will be free. It will be led by new Artistic Director, Hoor Al Qasimi. The President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation in the UAE, Al Qasimi is one of the most influential curators in the world right now, and was also recently named as the Artistic Director of Japan’s 2025 Aichi Triennale.
Bruce Johnson McLean appointed as First Nations Curatorial Fellow
The Biennale has also announced the appointment of Bruce Johnson McLean as the next Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain First Nations Curatorial Fellow, in partnership with its Paris-based partner, the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain. One of Australia’s leading voices on First Nations art and culture, Bruce is a member of the Wierdi people of Wribpid (Belyando River region in Central Queensland).
A curator, writer, advisor and consultant with over 25 years’ professional experience in the sector, Bruce has curated many high profile exhibitions and programs within Australia and internationally, and worked on several major projects including large-scale illumination projects with Vincent Namatjira and the Mulka Project for Canberra’s Enlighten Festival.
“I am honoured to be working with the Biennale of Sydney and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, two organisations with a long and proud history of supporting the voices and visions of First Nations artists internationally,” Johnson McLean said in a statement.
“The 25th edition of the Biennale of Sydney will be an important moment for First Nations art and artists globally. It is with great pride that I look forward to carrying on the work of my colleague and friend Tony Albert [the inaugural First Nations Curatorial Fellow for 2024] in supporting ambitious projects by, and building connections between, many of the leading First Nations artists from Australia and around the world.”
Sydney Biennale teams back up with Inner West Council
The Biennale of Sydney and Inner West Council have renewed their partnership for the 2026 edition, with a dedicated focus on activating White Bay Power Station as a dynamic cultural venue. Through this partnership, the Biennale aims to deepen connections between international and local voices, fostering new artistic exchanges and engagement with Sydney’s creative communities.
There’s not much else to report at this stage, but we’ll have our eyes peeled for all the upcoming arty details.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.