NIGHT RISE is a new Fremantle Biennale initiative that will bring together contemporary art experiences, artists and cultural leaders with the dark sky places, stories and communities of Western Australia.
Over 80% of the world’s population now live in areas where they cannot see the stars. Across Australia astrotourism and initiatives focussed on protecting darkness are growing rapidly, as ever-greater numbers of people seek out starlight and naturally occurring phenomena such as eclipses, solstices and rare astral happenings.
Western Australia is one of the world’s most remarkable places to experience the night sky and its celestial movements. NIGHT RISE explores how arts and culture can contribute unique perspectives, experiences and ways of connecting to our vast dark sky environments.
NIGHT RISE is currently in a research and creative development period across four WA regions – the Wheatbelt, Gascoyne, Murchison and the Kimberley. In its delivery NIGHT RISE will present new place-responsive artworks, cultural experiences and community initiatives coalescing in a series of destination events.
The Fremantle Biennale is a Western Australian arts organisation commissioning and presenting ambitious site-responsive contemporary art. Through a biennial festival and year-round program, we facilitate and create opportunities, connections and transformative experiences between artists, audiences and place.
Expressions of Interest are now open for the first Night Rise project: Wheatbelt Observatories.
The Fremantle Biennale is calling for Expressions of interest from artists and architects to create a series of sky-led observatories across Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region.
Following extensive consultation with communities across the region we are seeking ambitious ideas from collaborations between artists and architects to imagine singular observatories and built forms for five sites across the Wheatbelt.
The proposed observatories will explore both nocturnal and diurnal experiences, creating places to gather, shelter, look, listen and connect with the sky and horizon. Combining permanent and temporary works, the observatories will form a constellation and landmark dark sky trail that will be activated by the Biennale and each community through public programs, seasonal gatherings, storytelling, performances and other cultural experiences.
EOIs open: 4 September 2026
EOIs close: 2 October 2026
