Almost 40 years after the lights were switched off at White Bay Power Station, the iconic building will once again energise Sydney but this time as a hub for events and culture.

Starting with next year’s Biennale of Sydney, the White Bay Power Station will open its doors to the public with a program of short-term events and activations.

From March next year, the public will have the opportunity to explore the historic industrial masterpiece at the 2024 Biennale of Sydney.

NSW Minister for the Arts, John Graham, said the White Bay Power Station is a unique site. 

“It has as much potential to amaze and inspire global arts audiences as any settings for leading Biennales of the world from Venice to Sao Paolo,” he said.

“The power that this site will now generate is that of creativity.”

The Biennale of Sydney is one of the largest international contemporary art festivals, showcasing artists from NSW, Australia and across the globe. 

Biennale Sydney CEO, Barbara Moore, said admission to the event will be free.

“For 50 years, the Biennale of Sydney has brought people together to think and talk about the world we live in, infusing art into the very fabric of Sydney and rejuvenated public spaces across the city.”

After decades of sitting derelict, the NSW Government, through Placemaking NSW, has undertaken extensive remediation and conservation works to make the state heritage listed building ready for the 21st century and beyond.