The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) unveils its ambitious 2025 artistic program. Featuring over 200 leading contemporary artists across groundbreaking exhibitions, performances and international collaborations, the program highlights PICA’s enduring commitment to fostering emerging talent, amplifying diverse voices, and challenging audiences through bold, thought-provoking art experiences.

Program Highlights

Celebrating Connection and Culture

“Our 2025 program celebrates connection – between people, place and culture,” says Hannah Mathews, PICA’s Director/CEO. “With Revealed taking a prominent place at PICA, alongside our Bunuru program exploring matrilineal legacy and intergenerational storytelling, we’re proud to amplify voices that challenge and shape how we see the world.”

Presented in partnership with the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia (AACHWA), Revealed showcases the profound cultural diversity of emerging WA Aboriginal artists. Works across various forms highlight deep connections to Country, with all sales directly supporting artists and communities.

Seasonal Programming

Bunuru (Feb–Mar)
Featuring Oui Move In You, a transformative major solo exhibition by Turner Award-winning artist Laure Prouvost (FR); In Her Footsteps: A Tribute to Matrilineal Legacy bringing together seven Australian emerging artists that pay homage to the women in their lives; the latest Judy Wheeler Commission in the site-specific work Five ways to make a rainbow by Badimia and Yued Noongar artist Amanda Bell (WA); Biraddali Dancing on the Horizon latest moving image work from Australian-Filipina transdisciplinary artist, Bhenji Ra (NSW); and Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp by Wardandi Noongar and Ait Koedhal artist and designer Tyrown Waigana (WA) a mural commissioned for the gallery’s public entrance.

Djeran–Makuru (Apr–Jun)
Our second season highlights Vernon Ah Kee’s striking three-screen video and sound installation, GUDIRR GUDIRR which considers the legacy of Australia’s history for Aboriginal people in northwest Australia today; the inaugural aforementioned Revealed presentation; a collaboration with STRUT Dance (WA) for Restore – a dynamic double bill choreographic commission from a Boorloo (Perth)-based dance artist and the WA premiere of an existing work from the Asia-Pacific; and Momentum, a new artistic initiative from pvi collective.

Djilba (Aug–Oct)
The 34th edition of Hatched: National Graduate Show highlights the diversity and creativity of some of the country’s most promising new artists, complemented by the prestigious Schenberg Art Awards, a $50,000 prize pool.

Kambarang–Birak (Oct–Dec)
Debuts a major new commission in Alana Hunt’s (NSW) A Deceptively Simple Need supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund; Vádye Eshgh (Valley of Love) by Second Generation Collective (WA); plus SETTLED, the latest video developed by pro-Indigenous grassroots software company mob.io – Wiradjuri artist Joel Sherwood Spring (NSW) addressing the effects of technologies on our human experience of the world and the ongoing capitalist extraction of Aboriginal culture.

PICA’s first round of 2025 Studio Artists have also been announced and include: 

Company-in-residence: pvi collective (WA) 
Hyper Local Artists-in-residence: Rebecca McCauley & Aaron Claringbold (WA), Sarah Nelson (WA) 
France: Thu Van Tran (FR) 
Indonesia: Sherry Quiambao (WA) 
India: Asim Waqif (ID) 
Taiwan: Ho Yen Yen (TW), Emma Buswell (WA) 

Perth Cultural Centre Rejuvenation Project 2025-26

Starting 6 January 2025, the Perth Cultural Centre will undergo a major transformation as the precinct’s rejuvenation project begins. PICA will remain open during this two-year period, supporting artists and providing a place for audiences to gather around ideas and creative expression. Access to the venue will be via the western entrance and although PICA will be without its much-loved Performance Space throughout 2025-26, its commitment to all art forms as a key organisational priority is unwavering. Alternate platforms for performance presentation and development will be explored including creative development opportunities for artists, its continuing partnership with STRUT Dance and a range of dedicated performance events. Stay tuned for further performance updates and the reveal of an upgraded Performance Space in 2027.