Introduction

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) is Australia's leading contemporary photographic event, transforming the historic gold rush city of Ballarat into a vibrant showcase for photography from Australia and around the world. Established in 2005, the biennale presents a comprehensive program of exhibitions, workshops, talks, and projections across multiple venues throughout the city.

BIFB aims to celebrate the art of photography in all its forms, from traditional practices to cutting-edge experimental work. It provides a platform for established and emerging photographers while fostering public engagement with photographic art. The event's distinctive character emerges from its integration with Ballarat's remarkable Victorian-era architecture and cultural heritage, creating unique contexts for the presentation of contemporary images.

Narrative & Themes

Each edition of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale is developed around specific thematic frameworks that respond to contemporary issues and photographic practices. Recent editions have explored themes such as environmental sustainability, cultural identity, technological change, and the evolving role of photography in a digital world saturated with images.

The biennale consistently emphasizes the diversity of contemporary photographic practice, showcasing work that ranges from documentary and photojournalism to fine art photography, conceptual approaches, and new media experiments that push the boundaries of the medium. This inclusive approach creates dialogue between different photographic traditions and encourages visitors to consider the medium's multiple roles and possibilities.

BIFB utilizes a two-tier exhibition structure: a curated Core Program featuring major national and international photographers, complemented by an Open Program that provides opportunities for emerging and mid-career photographers to present their work. This model creates a dynamic ecosystem that supports both established practitioners and new voices, fostering the development of photographic culture in Australia.

History & Context

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale was founded in 2005 by photographer Jeff Moorfoot, initially as the Daylesford Foto Biennale. After two successful editions, the event relocated to Ballarat in 2009, where its scale and ambition expanded significantly. In 2017, photographer and curator Fiona Sweet took over as Creative Director, continuing to build the biennale's reputation and international connections.

The biennale's identity is closely tied to its host city, Ballarat, which offers a distinctive historical context for contemporary photography. As a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art and one of Australia's most significant gold rush cities, Ballarat possesses a wealth of Victorian-era architecture and cultural heritage sites that serve as compelling venues for photographic exhibitions.

Exhibition Venues

The National Centre for Photography, housed in the heritage-listed former Union Bank building in Ballarat's historic center, serves as the primary venue and headquarters for the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. This dedicated photography institution provides professional exhibition spaces and facilities for the biennale's Core Program exhibitions.

The biennale extends beyond the National Centre to incorporate multiple venues throughout Ballarat, including the Art Gallery of Ballarat (Australia's oldest regional gallery), the Mining Exchange, Her Majesty's Theatre, and various historical buildings, churches, cafes, and public spaces. This distributed exhibition model encourages visitors to explore the city while encountering photography in diverse contexts, from white cube galleries to unconventional spaces.