Perth Arts and Culture Guide: AGWA, the Perth Cultural Centre and the New Perth Concert Hall

Perth's arts and culture landscape is anchored by the Perth Cultural Centre (a pedestrianised cultural campus in Northbridge housing the Art Gallery of WA, the WA Museum Boola Bardip, the State Library of WA, and the State Records Office), the Perth Concert Hall (home of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, one of Australia's finest symphonic ensembles), His Majesty's Theatre (the most beautiful heritage theatre in Australia), and the BOCS Ticketing venues across the metropolitan area. The city's arts investment has increased significantly since 2010 and the Perth arts scene is now genuinely strong relative to its population.

Art Gallery of Western Australia — the AGWA's collection (housed in the Perth Cultural Centre since 1979) includes the finest collection of Western Australian art of any institution, with outstanding holdings in Indigenous WA art, colonial art of the Western Australian frontier, and a strong international contemporary art collection. The AGWA regularly presents major international touring exhibitions. Entry to the permanent collection is free.

WA Museum Boola Bardip — the spectacular new Western Australian Museum (opened 2020, designed by Hassell and OMA in collaboration) integrates the heritage 1899 Perth Gaol building with new contemporary architecture to create one of Australia's finest state museums. The museum's WA science and natural history collections are outstanding, and the Boola Bardip Building provides world-class temporary exhibition facilities.

His Majesty's Theatre — Perth's 1904 Edwardian baroque theatre (the most beautiful heritage performing arts building in Western Australia) is the home of West Australian Opera and West Australian Ballet. The theatre's extraordinary interior is among the finest heritage theatre environments in Australia. Major national touring musicals and productions also present at His Majesty's.

Perth live music — Perth's geographic isolation from the eastern capitals has historically forced the city to develop its own vibrant local music scene, with the Rosemount Hotel, the Ellington Jazz Club, Fremantle's Fly by Night Musicians Club, and the venues of the Northbridge entertainment precinct anchoring a live music culture that consistently produces Australian artists of national and international significance.

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