Design, Opera, and Ocean-Side Art: What’s On in Perth Today

Design, Opera, and Ocean-Side Art: What’s On in Perth Today

Welcome to your guide for Monday, March 23, 2026. Despite being the start of the work week, Perth is buzzing with the final days of major outdoor festivals and the peak of the autumn arts season. Whether you are looking for world-class theatre, thought-provoking design, or a final stroll past seaside sculptures, today offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences across the city.

Perth Design Week and Innovation Hubs

Today marks a cornerstone day for the Perth Design Week 2026 program. Running through March 26, the festival is currently centered at the WA Museum Boola Bardip and various CBD locations. A highlight for today is the Chirriger Moort: A 30 Year Retrospective of the Work of Peter Farmer. This landmark exhibition celebrates the three-decade career of the acclaimed Noongar artist, showcasing how First Nations design influences the Western Australian creative landscape through architecture, fashion, and fine art.

• Black Swan Summit Australia: For those interested in the future of industry, the Black Swan Summit officially takes place today. This global foresight forum brings technologists and policymakers together in Perth to explore how AI and green infrastructure are reshaping the digital economy.

Theatre and Performance Highlights

The city's stages are alive tonight with two powerhouse productions. At His Majesty’s Theatre, the West Australian Opera continues its run of La traviata. This timeless story of hope and heartbreak is a cornerstone of the 2026 season and remains a must-watch for its stunning Parisian-inspired set and emotional depth. It is one of the premier cultural events of the month.

Meanwhile, at the State Theatre Centre of WA, the award-winning production RBG: Of Many, One is currently showing in the Heath Ledger Theatre. Australian stage legend Heather Mitchell returns to her role as Ruth Bader Ginsburg in an intimate theatrical portrait that has been brought back to Perth by popular demand.

Galleries, Exhibitions, and Outdoor Cinema

If you haven't made it to Cottesloe yet, today is your absolute final opportunity to experience Sculpture by the Sea for 2026. The beach has been transformed into an open-air gallery featuring over 70 works by international and local artists. This iconic event wraps up this evening, making it the perfect afternoon for a coastal walk before the statues are removed.

• Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA): Visit the gallery to explore Paola Pivi – I don’t like it, I love it, a vibrant and ambitious project by the internationally renowned artist. Also on display is Pippin Drysdale: Infinite Terrain, celebrating the legendary ceramicist’s connection to the vast WA landscape.
• Lotterywest Films: As the evening cools, head to the UWA Somerville outdoor cinema for the Lotterywest Films season. Tonight’s screening offers a cinematic escape under the stars in one of Perth’s most beautiful academic settings.