Biennales in Oceania
Australia’s free-admission biennales, between editions this fall, with Ballarat next in 2027 and Sydney in 2028.
Australia holds the region’s main biennales, and free admission is one of their shared traits. The Biennale of Sydney, founded in 1973, is the oldest contemporary art biennale in the Asia-Pacific and has been free at its principal venues since the start. The Asia Pacific Triennial, founded in 1993 at the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane, looks outward across the region and has been free at every edition. The Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, founded in 1990, looks inward, as a survey of Australian art timed with the Adelaide Festival. The Ballarat International Foto Biennale, founded in 2005, is the country’s main photography biennale; its 11th edition, LIFEFORCE, spread across more than 100 indoor and outdoor venues in the city.
Sydney also carries one of the field’s defining controversies. In 2014 artists withdrew over the founding sponsor Transfield’s contract to run Australia’s offshore immigration detention centers, and the Biennale ended its relationship with the founding family within weeks. The furthest-flung entry is the Antarctic Biennale, a single expedition from Ushuaia in March 2017.
No edition in Oceania is open as of October 1, 2026. The 25th Biennale of Sydney, Rememory, curated by Hoor Al Qasimi, ran from March 14 to June 14, 2026, and the 2026 Adelaide Biennial, Yield Strength, closed on June 8. Next on the calendar is the 12th Ballarat International Foto Biennale, August 21 to October 17, 2027. The 26th Biennale of Sydney, led by Low Kee Hong, opens March 11, 2028. APT12 in Brisbane has not been dated. See the 2027 calendar for updates.
Coming up in Oceania
August 2027
- August 21 to October 17, 2027
12th Ballarat International Foto Biennale Opens August 21
Ballarat, Australia
Full 2026 calendar · 2027 calendar · RSS for Oceania
All 5 biennales and triennials in Oceania
- Adelaide, AustraliaAdelaide Biennial of Australian ArtBetween editionsAdelaide Biennial of Australian Art: the 2026 edition, Yield Strength, curated by Ellie Buttrose, ran February 27 to June 8, 2026. Founded 1990.
- AntarcticaAntarctic BiennaleDormant or discontinuedAntarctic Biennale: the floating biennale conceived by Alexander Ponomarev held one edition, a March 2017 voyage from Ushuaia. No second edition is announced.
- Brisbane, AustraliaAsia Pacific TriennialBetween editionsAsia Pacific Triennial (APT), Brisbane: QAGOMA's survey founded 1993. APT11 ran November 30, 2024 to April 27, 2025; dates for APT12 have not been announced.
- Ballarat, AustraliaBallarat International Foto BiennaleNext edition announcedNext: August 21 to October 17, 2027Ballarat International Foto Biennale: Australia's principal photography biennial. The 12th edition is scheduled for August 21 to October 17, 2027.
- Sydney, AustraliaBiennale of SydneyNext edition announcedBiennale of Sydney: the 25th edition, Rememory, ran March 14 to June 14, 2026. The 26th, led by artistic director Low Kee Hong, opens March 11, 2028.
Questions about biennales in Oceania
Which biennales are open in Oceania now?
None of the series Biennale covers is open as of October 1, 2026. The next edition is the 12th Ballarat International Foto Biennale, August 21 to October 17, 2027.
When is the next Biennale of Sydney?
The 26th Biennale of Sydney, led by artistic director Low Kee Hong, opens on March 11, 2028.
Is the Biennale of Sydney free?
Yes. Admission has been free at the principal venues since the Biennale of Sydney was founded in 1973.
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