Bold plan for $60m Culture House to bring major art to Sydney’s inner west

Australia’s coolest neighbourhood has secured future access to world-class art exhibitions that could transform Sydney’s cultural landscape.

Lorraine Tarabay at the Museum of Contemporary Art where are pieces will be moving art works to a western Sydney gallery. Picture Thomas Lisson

Two bodies painted as frontrunners for “culture” and “cool” in Sydney have put finishing touches on a bold ambition to host major art exhibitions in the city’s inner west.

The Museum of Contemporary Art and Burwood Council – home to Australia’s “coolest neighbourhood” according to Time Out magazine – are partnering to deliver the arts to the burbs.

A three-year agreement initially covers cross-promotion of existing art prize programs, talent development initiatives and event activations around next year’s Sydney Biennale.

Burwood Council Mayor John Faker with Museum of Contemporary Art chair Lorraine Tarabay at the MCA to celebrate the agreement between the two organisations. Picture: Thomas Lisson

But core to the framing of their Memorandum of Understanding is Burwood Council’s $60 million Culture House project.

Currently a blank canvas and set for completion late 2028, the development will include a 300-seat theatre, a 1000-capacity art exhibition space, plus food and beverage outlets.

Burwood Mayor John Faker pitches Culture House as a future “extension” destination for the MCA, with art exhibitions moving between the two venues.

“One of my priorities as Mayor is to ensure Burwood remains Sydney’s cultural playground … and to make sure Culture House hits the ground running,” he said.

Paul Nicolaou (Business Sydney executive director), Lorraine Tarabay (MCA chair), John Faker (Burwood Mayor) and Suzanne Cotter (MCA Director) at the MCA in The Rocks. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“We need to bring the MCA to Burwood and Burwood to the MCA.

“We’re big on involving creative artists, musicians, exhibitions … but in these next couple of years it’s also about encouraging our local artists to look at how they could get involved with MCA programs.”

MCA Director Suzanne Cotter said the partnership reflects the importance of remaining agile and relevant.

“Museums today are not just about being in the one place. We need to exist beyond our walls,” she added.

“Burwood is a super dynamic, culturally active council. Their values are very much aligned to the way we think … and their demographic is very similar to the MCA’s in terms of cultural diversity and age.

Suzanne Cotter worked in Europe before taking up the role as director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney in 2022. Picture: John Feder

“Fifty per cent of MCA’s visitors are under the age of 35 and close to 50 per cent identify as culturally and linguistically diverse. That’s very close to the demographics of Burwood.

“We’re at a moment of really thinking about the future. How we engage with different audiences is absolutely key.”

Jobs and Tourism Minister Steve Kamper welcomed the broad brush strokes of the MCA-Burwood agreement:

“Australia’s coolest neighbourhood meets Australia’s coolest arts institution,” he said. “And this collaboration … is a perfect fit with the NSW visitor economy strategy.”

Originally published as Bold plan for $60m Culture House to bring major art to Sydney’s inner west