The Biennale of Sydney is a non-profit organisation that presents Australia's largest and most exciting contemporary visual arts event. Held every two years, the Biennale stages a three-month exhibition, plus a program of artist talks, performances, forums, film screenings, family events, guided tours and other special events, all FREE to the public. The third oldest biennale in the world, the Biennale continues to be recognised for showcasing the freshest and most provocative contemporary art from Australia and around the world.

Biennale venues combine established and high-profile museums, dedicated contemporary art spaces, heritage sites and buildings, as well as outdoor city areas. In 2010, the 17th Biennale of Sydney was situated across the heart of the city in a series of venues: Cockatoo Island, Pier 2/3, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Artspace and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Grand Court).

The Biennale has an outstanding track record and since 1973, has presented 17 critically acclaimed, popular and large-scale exhibitions – bringing the work of 1500 artists from over 83 countries to the city of Sydney. From small beginnings, the Biennale quadrupled in size in less than a decade and progressively reached an important place in Australia’s art calendar. In 2010, attendance soared to over half a million visitors. 

The Biennale’s evolution has been pivotal in promoting cultural exchange with Australia, championing free expression, unveiling new ideas and challenging the status quo – a history of 'firsts' that has attracted a healthy dose of controversy and public debate over the years.

Instrumental in bringing many of the world’s leading and most established artists to Sydney, the Biennale has quickly achieved international recognition and today it ranks as one of the leading international festivals of contemporary visual art and multimedia.

Read more about the history of the Biennale.

The Biennale of Sydney engages Australian and international audiences with bold and innovative contemporary art from around the world, challenges the status quo, promotes cultural exchange and inspires audiences to experience art, themselves and their world in new and creative ways.



The Biennale is committed to international cultural exchange; increasing dialogue and mutual understanding; developing audiences for contemporary art; and increasing understanding and appreciation of the important role art plays in society.



Our charter is to provide fresh curatorial perspective and independent artistic vision, and to offer encounters with art and artists, as well as the programs and publications that underpin the exhibition. We also offer artists the opportunity to make new work in Sydney and to reach a broader audience.