culture
The community and movement driving this cultural shift
Resident groups across Perth suburbs have built new networks that now shape exhibitions, performances and workshops outside traditional venues.
How we reported this
More than 200 people turned out on July 10 for the opening of a shared studio space run by the Beaufort Street Arts Alliance on Beaufort Street in Highgate.
The timing aligns with reduced state funding for flagship institutions and rising demand for accessible entry points after several years of hybrid programming. Residents report seeking direct involvement in decisions about what gets shown and who performs, rather than waiting for annual festival schedules.
Neighbourhood anchors
The alliance operates from a converted warehouse two blocks from the Perth Cultural Centre and coordinates weekly life-drawing sessions with the nearby PICA on Roe Street. A second collective, the Leederville Makers Hub on Oxford Street, runs monthly film nights that screen local shorts followed by open discussions. Both groups formed in late 2024 and now share mailing lists that reach 1,800 addresses.
Attendance records kept by the Beaufort Street group show 1,240 individual visits across 14 events between January and June 2026. Ticket prices sit at $12 for most workshops, with a $25 annual membership that covers materials and priority booking. These figures come from the alliance’s own quarterly report released last month.
Next steps for participants
Anyone can attend the next open planning meeting at the Highgate warehouse on July 19 at 6pm. Details appear on the Beaufort Street Arts Alliance Instagram account and on printed flyers posted at the Leederville Makers Hub.