Fremantle Arts Centre

Housed within an iconic heritage building and beautiful grounds, Fremantle Arts Centre is one of Australia's leading arts organisations. The building’s impressive neo-Gothic facade of local limestone is a Fremantle landmark. It’s a must-see attraction during a visit to Fremantle.

The impressive convict built arts centre dates back to 1864. The historic site was originally the first purpose-built ‘lunatic’ asylum in Western Australia and has since been a women’s home, a naval base during WW1 and WW2 and a technical college before opening as Fremantle Arts Centre in 1972.

Today the Fremantle Arts Centre is a hub of culture with a cutting-edge selection of contemporary arts from practitioners locally, nationally and internationally and  a growing residencies program and galleries showing changing exhibitions.

Fremantle Arts Centre is also a premiere venue for Australian and international musicians. A diverse range of acts play year-round, from local bands performing as part of the free courtyard music program (Sunday afternoons 2-4 pm from October through to March), to touring acts on the South Lawn that this summer include Nick Cave, The Waifs and Fast Freddy's Drop.

FOUND at Fremantle Arts Centre presents a carefully sourced selection of Western Australian art, craft, books and design objects. Celebrating both traditional and contemporary techniques, every piece has been handpicked for its quality, design and superb craftsmanship.