What is a visual story?
In this handy resource, you’ll find a step-by-step visual and written guide on how to visit PICA.
A visual story helps prepare you for your visit by showing what to expect upon arrival and what you might experience throughout the different spaces.
How to access the PICA building
PICA is located in the Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge, on the mid-level of the precinct. Pedestrian entrances to the precinct are wide and paved leading from the Perth Train Station concourse, James Street, Francis Street and Beaufort Street.
The three levels of the Perth Cultural Centre are connected by steps and ramps suitable for mobility aids. The ramp from the lower level of the precinct at James Street passes by PICA’s main entrance opposite The Blue Room Theatre. PICA’s main entrance has recently been relocated from the mid-level to the lower level throughout 2024-2025
From the mid-level of the precinct, the ramp down to PICA’s new main entrance looks like this.
The ramp linking the upper level of the Perth Cultural Centre to the mid-level looks like this. It is located at the back of the PICA Bar.
The steps down to PICA from the upper level look like this.
Getting to PICA from nearby car parks
You can also enter the Perth Cultural Centre from two City of Perth carparks with ACROD parking bays: State Library Carpark (15 Francis St, Northbridge) and Roe St Carpark (68 Roe St, Northbridge).
A walkway from the Roe St carpark takes you around the side of PICA towards The Blue Room Theatre.
From this direction, PICA’s main entrance looks like this.
A walkway from the Francis St car park on the mid-level of the precinct leads to PICA’s main entrance via a ramp or steps down.
Entering via PICA’s new main entrance
PICA’s new main entrance is through three arches and wide black gates opposite The Blue Room Theatre.
The main entrance can be accessed via three steps, or a paved ramp suitable for mobility aids.
Once through the black framed glass doors, there are more white arches leading to PICA’s new foyer.
PICA’s new foyer is in our former Performance Space, which is set to reopen in 2025 after refurbishments.
At the foyer, our Front of House team can assist you with information, directions and any access needs you might have
In 2024 our foyer features a new commission by artist Agatha Gothe-Snape. More information on this work can be found in the foyer or by asking our Front of House team.
If you want to cloak items or large bags, they can be left with our staff in the foyer who will store them safely on shelves near the front desk.
The PICA Shop is also located in the foyer where you can purchase PICA publications and merchandise.
To get to the ground floor of the building from the foyer, take five steps or use the access lift for mobility aids.
The ground floor is where you’ll find the Central Gallery and PICA Hub. The first-floor galleries, bathrooms and studios can be reached via another staircase and lift.
This is the access lift.
Follow through to Central Gallery and PICA Hub. Here you can access the lift and stairs up to the first floor.
Entering via Picabar
On Saturdays and Sundays between 11am–5pm you can also enter the building through Picabar. You’ll need to go down two steps or use the ramp to enter Picabar.
If you use the ramp, it’ll take you here.
Go through Picabar and then head through the double doors that open to the PICA Hub on the ground floor. Please note that the double doors are not automatic and are not always open due to noise or weather considerations.
This is what the Picabar entrance looks like from the PICA side.
Ground Floor
Central Gallery – Ground Floor
On the ground floor is the Central Gallery. This is the entrance.
The double-height Central Gallery has views to the floor above.
It is connected to two smaller open-plan exhibition spaces.
The galleries may be light or dark, depending on the exhibition.
When they’re dark, the galleries can look like this:
There are low padded vinyl benches throughout the building where you can sit and rest.
PICA Hub – Ground Floor
The PICA Hub is our community space where you’ll find free artmaking activities. It’s located on the ground floor between the front desk and PICA Bar.
This is a place where you can sit, relax and make art for as long as you like.
Getting to the first floor
To get to the first floor, you can take the lift or stairs from the ground floor. You’ll find the lift and stairs opposite PICA Hub.
Here is the lift.
And the entrance to the staircase.
The staircase wraps around the lift, like this:
First Floor
Once you arrive on the first floor, you’ll find the West End Gallery on your right past the spiral staircase.
West End Gallery – First Floor
The West End Gallery is one large open space. It may be light or dark, depending on the exhibition.
One of the gallery team will be roaming the first floor and can answer any questions you might have.
As you exit the stairs and the lift, the Screen Space will be on your left. Here, you can watch video works.
You can also access the mezzanine balcony from here.
The mezzanine balcony overlooks the Central Galleries on the ground floor.
This is what the mezzanine balcony looks like:
Toilets
Toilets – First Floor
There are toilets, including accessible toilets, available on the first floor and ground floor. There are baby change facilities in the first floor toilets.
The first floor toilets are at the end of the balcony, on the same side as the lift and Screen Space.
This is what the first floor toilets and baby change facilities look like.
Toilets – Ground Floor
The ground floor toilets and accessible toilets are located in PICA Bar, which opens daily at 11am. You can enter Picabar through the double doors in the PICA Hub.
The double doors are not automatic and are not always open due to noise or weather considerations. Our team at the front desk can help you access the ground floor toilets in PICA Bar if the double doors are closed.
The toilets are down the corridor in Picabar, pictured here:
Need more information?
If you have any feedback on PICA’s visual story or questions about access to PICA, please contact us at (08) 9228 6300 or info@pica.org.au.
You can also find more access information about our facilities, including various dimensions, on our visit page.