Ballarat International Foto Biennale

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is back for its 2017 edition and promises to present the world on your doorstep – celebrating and creating a shared, exciting perspective of how we see our surrounds, our community and ourselves.

The vision for this year’s Biennale raises the bar, with more events and chances for audiences to engage with the photographic image in all its forms – from established to amateur.

Courtney Love: Pieta, (detail) 2006. © David LaChapelle.
Courtney Love: Pieta, (detail) 2006. © David LaChapelle.

The Core Program exhibits at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, The Mining Exchange, the Minerva Room, The Observatory, Post Office Gallery, Backspace Gallery, and the Town Hall. The Fringe Program is staged at more than 70 cafes, galleries, and wine bars across Ballarat, showcasing local and national photographic talent.

The centrepiece of the 2017 Ballarat International Foto Biennale is an exhibition by David LaChapelle, one of the most important photographers of our time. This is the first time David LaChapelle will exhibit in Australia.

The 2017 program, with special events planned for all five weekends, is expected to attract an attendance of over 50,000 people.

Along with the exhibitions there are:

  • Workshops
  • Portfolio reviews
  • Special Events
  • Talks and Walks
  • And much more...


The Biennale is guided by the principle that it not only serves the community but also plays a vital role in cultivating it. It strives to engage the local community with creative and courageous programming.

Buy tickets and register for your favourite events here...

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

March

Hills End NSW: 28-30 March 2025. Join Moshe Rosenzveig OAM, Director of Head On Photo Festival, alongside distinguished photographers Murray Fredericks and Judith Nangala Crispin for an immersive extended weekend workshop.

Sydney: One off event. 28 March 7pm. Join OCULI at ESCAC by Brand X for their new community event OCULI presents, where collective members curate a selection of photography projections for your enjoyment.

April

Organised by the Art Gallery Society of NSW, join an eight-day study tour in April exploring ‘photography as art’ in the City of Light: with private visits to galleries, discussions with leading photography curators and more!