culture
Emerging talent voices and the next wave to watch
Perth programs are lifting new writers, musicians and visual artists into view this July.
How we reported this
Twenty-three Perth-based creators under 30 will present new work across three venues starting next week as part of the City of Perth’s Fresh Voices initiative.
The push comes as state funding for small arts groups rose to $4.8 million in the 2026 budget, up from $3.9 million two years earlier, giving organisers room to book rooms and pay modest fees to first-time exhibitors and performers.
Northbridge and Mt Lawley line-ups
The Rechabite on William Street will host three nights of new music from July 18, while Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts on St Georges Terrace opens an exhibition of paintings and short films on the same date. A spoken-word night at the State Library of Western Australia on James Street follows on July 22. All three spots sit inside a five-kilometre stretch of the inner city and have run open-call auditions since March.
City of Perth data released in June shows 142 applications came in for the 23 slots, a 31 per cent increase on the 2024 round. Entry to the PICA show costs $12, with concessions at $8; tickets for the Rechabite gigs are $18.
Where to catch the work
Residents can book through the venues’ websites or at the door on the night. The library event is free but requires a same-day ticket from the information desk. Most pieces stay on view or in rotation for four weeks, giving audiences time to return and track which names surface again at larger festivals later in the year.