Frequently asked questions
Times and Charges
Q. When is the Gallery open?
A. 10am–5pm Wednesday - Mondays. We are also closed on Tuesdays, as well as
Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day.
Q. Is there an entry charge?
A. No, admission to the Gallery is free however, donations are always welcomed. On occasion there may be an admission charge for special exhibitions.
Q. Why is there a charge for entry into some exhibitions?
A. The cost of bringing exhibitions from interstate or overseas is supported by revenue generating programs (entry fees, functions, etc) and sponsorship. In turn, this income supports the Art Gallery of Western Australia's ability to present a diverse range of exhibitions.
Q. Do carers have to pay entry to special exhibitions?
A. No, entry is free for carers accompanying a disabled visitor. Companions cards are also accepted.
Q. Why is the Gallery closed on Tuesdays?
Closing the Gallery one day a week ensures the Gallery maintains quality of exhibitions and accompanying programs. Tuesday closure means the Gallery can remain open all weekend and on public holiday Mondays, so as not to impact visitors' enjoyment of the Gallery over long weekends. In major cities overseas most cultural institutions close one day a week, for example the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. In Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria is also closed on Tuesdays.
Closing on Tuesday allows Gallery staff to accomplish tasks such as major work installation and collection care, minimising disruption to visitors on the other six days of the week.
Exhibitions & Events
Q. When does the Art Gallery of WA hold ART IN BLOOM?
A. ART IN BLOOM is a event run by the Friends of the Art Gallery and it is a biennial event, i.e. it is held every two years. The last ART IN BLOOM was held over the weekend of Friday 17 to Sunday 19 September 2010.
In 2010, Western Australian's became "floral artists" using thousands of flowers and plants to create arrangements inspired by over 120 works from the State Art Collection. ART IN BLOOM remains the only event of its kind in Australia and is a rare opportunity to see and experience art in a completely different light.
ART IN BLOOM is a ticketed event with proceeds raised used by the Friends of the Art Gallery to assist with acquiring new artworks for the State Art Collection.
Tours
Q. Does the Gallery conduct guided tours?
A. Yes. The Gallery schedules free, public Wesfarmers Arts Walk-in Tours of the Collection and Exhibitions every day of the week excluding Mondays. Tours change monthly.
Q. Can the Gallery provide a special tour for my group?
A. Yes. Customised tours can be arranged through our Public Programs office. Our tours are free but require a 2 week notification period. Click here to go to the Booking page.
Volunteers
Q. Do you have a volunteer program?
A. Yes. 150 invaluable volunteers currently contribute to the day-to-day smooth running of busy Art Gallery. Their assistance with Information Desk, Tours and Education services is supported by the Gallery's on-going volunteer training schemes. The Gallery recruits volunteers annually. For more information see the Volunteers page.
Conservation & Artwork Valuation
Q. Does the Art Gallery sell works of art?
A. No, the Art Gallery of Western Australia is not a commercial art gallery.
Q. Can you value my art work?
A. No, we suggest you contact a commercial art gallery or an art dealer - these are listed in the Yellow Pages telephone book under Auctioneers.
A. No, the Art Gallery staff cannot advise or repair/conserve your work of art. However, you might like to look at the following websites for information regarding the conservation of artworks: The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material or Stanford University (search under conservation).
Research
Q. I need information for a school assignment on a Western Australian artist can you help?
A. No, our Library is not for general public use/access. We recommend you source information via your own local library or the Internet. The metropolitan university libraries at Curtin and The University of Western Australia have comprehensive art libraries. You do not have to be a student of the University to use them for research purposes, only if you want to borrow a book.
The following art directories are available at the State Library of Western Australian (Alexander Library):
- The Dictionary of Art - Ed. Jane Turner, 1996: 34 volumes
- The Oxford Dictionary of Art - Ed. Ian Chilvers & Harold Osborne, 1997.
If the information you seek concerns a living artist, their details may be listed with either Artsource – PH +61 8 9226 2122 or in the Community Arts & Culture Directory, which is part coordinated through Community Arts Network PH +61 8 9226 2422.
General
Q. What’s on display?
A. The State Art Collection has over 16,000 artworks, of which approximately 10% are on display in the gallery at any one time. Displays may include paintings, prints, sculpture, photography and craft. The Gallery has both historical and contemporary works, and an excellent display of Indigenous art. Collection displays are rotated regularly and are supported by a program of temporary exhibitions.
Q. Can I take photographs in the Gallery?
A. Yes, visitors are permitted to take photographs with hand-held devices in non-restricted public areas within the Art Gallery of Western Australia for personal use only. The use of tripods, flash or additional lighting is not permitted. Images photographed under this policy cannot be reproduced, displayed on personal websites, or used commercially.
Some areas of the Gallery and/or some temporary exhibitions may, at various times, be excluded from this policy. These areas will display signage at the entrance of the exhibition or gallery space advising of the photography restrictions.
Q. Why can’t I take in my water bottle?
A. Food and beverage are not permitted in the exhibition galleries. This precaution ensures that our works of art are protected against accidental and costly damage.
Q. Why are some works behind glass?
A. Touching artwork can damage it. Whilst the glass prevents visitors from handling our works of art, it also acts as one of the Gallery's security strategies; preserving works for future generations.
Q. Why is it so cold?
A. The temperature within the Gallery is maintained at specific levels in order to keep the works of art in good condition. These levels accord with international art museum standards.
Q. Can I sketch in the Gallery?
A. Yes, however chalk-based products and charcoal are not permitted in the Gallery spaces as dust picked up by the air-conditioning may damage artworks. Permission for “wet sketching” - the use of oils, acrylics and watercolour paints - must be obtained in advanced by contacting the Public Programs Office on +61 8 9492 6644. The maximum size sketchbook allowed in the Gallery is the A3 size.
Q. Does the Gallery conduct art classes?
A. No, the Gallery does not normally organise art classes. We suggest that you contact your local council with regard to recreational art class programs, or alternately contact a commercial art school.
Q. Is there a WiFi internet service I can use at the Gallery?
When visiting the the Perth Cultural Centre you can access a FREE WiFi internet service provided by MRA - CulturalCentreNet.
CulturalCentreNet covers the space between the Perth city train station and the entertainment hub of Northbridge and is bounded by Roe, Beaufort, Francis and William Streets and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. See map of WiFi coverage.
As a free service available to everyone there are restrictions on making excessive demands on the limited bandwidth and all users are required to accept the terms and conditions as they connect to the free WiFi service.
Q. How do I access the free WiFi internet service?
In order to access the free WiFi internet service you will need to follow these simple steps:
- Turn on your Laptop or mobile phone with WiFi access in the Perth Cultural Centre and scan for available WiFi access points.
- Your laptop/mobile phone should then find the CulturalCentreNet and connect.
- The CulturalCentreNet will accept your connection.
- Open a web browser and can navigate your chosen website. If you haven’t logged in to the wifi network before, CulturalCentreNet will redirect you to the WiFi landing page (http://www.perthculturalcentre.com.au/CulturalCentreNet/) where you will need to accept the Terms & Conditions. Any attempt to navigate to any web address without accepting the Terms & Conditions will end up in an automatic redirection back to the WiFi landing page.
- To proceed simply click on the 'Agree' button on the WiFi landing page, and you will be logged in to CulturalCentreNet.
- From this point on, the you can access any web address via CulturalCentreNet.
More information
Download: Map of CulturalCentreNet Coverage
Website: MRA - Perth Cultural Centre
Last reviewed 8 March 2013
