News

Immerse yourself in one of the world’s oldest and richest cultures at Wardarnji 2021, a spectacular evening of Nyoongar dance, performance and storytelling returning to Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday 13 November.
After being postponed in 2020 due to COVID, this much-anticipated event will bring together more than 100 dancers performing traditional songs and dances alongside contemporary original works, magnificent puppetry, fires burning well into the night and an array of markets showcasing the talents of local Aboriginal makers.

Sharyn Egan is a painter, weaver and sculptor. At IOTA21, Sharyn will present her collaborative installation What’s in a Noongar woman’s bag? Naatj Noongar yoka kooda, an exploration into the daily lives of her ancestors, using historical research and oral histories to trace the belongings found in a Noongar women’s bag in the 1800s.

The Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA) is a new festival that celebrates the traditions and rituals of contemporary craft, bringing together makers, artists and crafted works from countries around the Indian Ocean Rim. Opening on 17 September, IOTA’s inaugural exhibition Curiosity & Rituals of the Everyday, presents the work of more than 30 artists from seven countries across two venues: Fremantle Arts Centre and John Curtin Gallery.

Sunday Music returns to Fremantle Arts Centre in 2021 with a stellar line-up of WA musicians. Running 2–4pm every Sunday from October through to March, visitors can enjoy a handpicked selection of local music acts in the beautiful lush surrounds of FAC’s Front Garden. Best of all, Sunday Music is free to attend.

Surprising encounters, dance floor bangers, lavish cocktails and mind-bending performances. Fremantle Arts Centre’s new art party Leave the Lights On gives revellers the chance to dance, drink and delve into art like never before. With three editions scheduled - Thursday 2 September, Thursday 4 November and Thursday 20 January from 6pm till late - Leave the Lights On invites you to get your up-late culture fix with a stellar roster of local acts, from Bollywood DJs to spoken word poets and all-female percussionists.

One of Western Australia’s most compelling contemporary artists, Jacobus Capone practice's often combines physically demanding durational performances with sublime landscapes. Beating Heart, showing at Fremantle Arts Centre from 24 July to 7 September, is the artist’s largest exhibition to date, bringing together three large bodies of work including mesmeric mark making, duration performance, installation and video works.

Highly commended in this year's Print Award, Beth Ferialdi's I've Been Meaning to Give You These is a playful homage to the mixtape of yesteryear. The cassettes feature thematic playlists of love and longing, with surprise acapella cameos from Ferialdi's friends. Beth's playlist will get a workout on Wednesday 14 July at the inaugural Print Party - an evening of art, talks and karaoke after dark to close out the 45th FAC Print Award.

We’re delighted to announce that Caris Harper will be joining the Fremantle Arts Centre family following her appointment as General Manager. A familiar face in the national arts sector, Caris’ impressive CV includes stints at Melbourne Festival, Carriageworks, Dark Mofo and PICA, to name a few. We can’t wait to unleash her unique combination of programming genius, business smarts and advocacy for participation and inclusion when she starts in the role in August.

Amanda Bell’s From our lip, mouths, throats and belly – one of the standout works at the 2021 Revealed Exhibition – has been acquired by the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the City of Fremantle and Despina and Marcus Canning AM; a momentous achievement for the Bunbury-based emerging artist.

Internationally renowned artist Jacobus Capone will debut Beating Heart – the largest exhibition of his works to date – at Fremantle Arts Centre on 23 July. Incorporating performance, video, installation and works on paper, Beating Heart is a cinematic exploration of human and ecological fragility in an age of increasing anxiety, denial and isolation.