Biennale of Sydney Announces First Details for Its 25th Edition in 2026

Bruce Johnson McLean. Photograph: Daniel Boud.

25th Biennale of Sydney
Title TBA
March 14 – June 14 2026
Biennale of Sydney

The Biennale of Sydney has revealed its first major announcements for the 25th edition, set to take place from 14 March to 14 June 2026. Under the artistic direction of Hoor Al Qasimi, the edition will mark a return to White Bay Power Station, Sydney’s newest cultural landmark, and continue its growing commitment to First Nations leadership and artistic collaboration.

As part of the ongoing partnership with Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, the Biennale announced Bruce Johnson McLean as the next Fondation Cartier First Nations Curatorial Fellow. A respected curator, writer, and advisor, Johnson McLean is a member of the Wierdi people of Wribpid and brings over 25 years of experience to the role, having previously served as Assistant Director of First Nations at the National Gallery of Australia and Curator of Indigenous Australian Art at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.

Launched in 2023, the curatorial fellowship is a key initiative within the Biennale’s partnership with the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, aimed at strengthening the presence and leadership of First Nations voices across the Biennale’s program. Johnson McLean will continue the work of inaugural fellow Tony Albert, who played a key role in shaping the 2024 edition by collaborating with 14 First Nations artists from around the world.

Johnson McLean noted:

“It is with great pride that I look forward to carrying on the work of my colleague and friend Tony Albert in supporting ambitious projects by, and building connections between, many of the leading First Nations artists from Australia and around the world.”

The Biennale also announced it will again activate the White Bay Power Station, a vast post-industrial space that drew over 174,000 visitors during the 2024 edition—making it the most attended non-museum site in the Biennale’s history. The Inner West Council and the Biennale of Sydney have renewed their partnership for 2026, with a focus on establishing White Bay as a long-term cultural venue for both local and international artistic exchange.

Biennale of Sydney Chief Executive Officer Barbara Moore said: “The Biennale of Sydney was the first cultural organisation to bring White Bay Power Station to life, transforming this iconic and historic landmark into a dynamic hub for community events and exhibitions of international calibre. The overwhelming success of the Biennale’s 24th edition showed the incredible potential of this space to inspire, engage, and connect people through a festival of contemporary art, music, and ideas. We are proud to return to White Bay Power Station in 2026 for the 25th edition in one of the city’s most exciting new creative precincts. Entry to the Biennale of Sydney is free.

“The Biennale of Sydney has always been a platform for bold artistic expression and meaningful cultural exchange. Our partnership with the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain continues to strengthen the Biennale’s commitment to amplifying First Nations voices, both locally and globally. We are delighted to welcome Bruce Johnson McLean as the next Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain First Nations Curatorial Fellow and look forward to the contributions he will bring to the 25th edition. His experience, knowledge, and deep connection to First Nations art and culture will be invaluable in shaping a compelling and thought-provoking edition in 2026.”

Artistic Director of the 25th Biennale of Sydney Hoor Al Qasimi said:  “The Biennale of Sydney has long been a platform for artists to share their stories, challenge perceptions, and spark dialogue across cultures. As we shape the 25th edition, we are committed to creating a dynamic and inclusive festival of art and ideas that reflects the diversity of contemporary artistic voices. Bruce Johnson McLean’s appointment as the next Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain First Nations Curatorial Fellow is a vital step in this journey, and I look forward to working alongside him and the entire Biennale team to create an edition that is deeply rooted in connection, history, and the transformative power of art.

“It is brilliant that the Biennale will return to White Bay Power Station in 2026, a space that has proven to be an extraordinary setting for creative expression and community engagement. With the Biennale, we create engagement by, with, and for community, providing a platform for local artists and performers in this creative endeavour.”

With a strong foundation laid through strategic partnerships and an ambitious vision for community and global engagement, the 25th edition of the Biennale of Sydney is poised to be a landmark moment—both for the city and for contemporary art internationally.

Further details, including the artist list and public programs, will be announced in the coming months.
For updates, visit: biennaleofsydney.art