John Curtin Gallery is a public art gallery at Curtin University in Bentley. It presents changing contemporary art exhibitions, and you do not need to be a Curtin student to visit.
The Bentley gallery opens on weekdays and Sunday during exhibitions. It closes on Saturdays and public holidays. Its separate city exhibition space at Old Perth Boys’ School has different opening days.
Visitor information checked on 25 September 2026. Exhibition programmes and opening arrangements can change.
John Curtin Gallery at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Building 200A, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley WA 6102 |
| Admission | Exhibitions and events are free unless otherwise stated; facilitated workshops have a fee |
| Weekday hours | Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm during exhibitions |
| Sunday hours | Noon to 4pm during exhibitions |
| Closed | Saturdays and public holidays; check the programme before travelling between exhibitions |
| Phone | 08 9266 4155 |
| gallery@curtin.edu.au | |
| Official information | Plan your visit and exhibitions |
What can you see at John Curtin Gallery?
Check the exhibition programme before setting out, particularly if you are making a special trip for one artist or artwork.
The gallery also works with the Curtin University Art Collection, which has a strong contemporary focus, including Indigenous art and art from the Indian Ocean region. Selected works appear in gallery exhibitions and elsewhere on campus. A work’s inclusion in the collection does not mean it is currently on display.
Regional Arts Triennial: Radical Futures
Radical Futures is scheduled for 18 September to 6 December 2026. It brings together work by 49 artists, drawing on 13 regional exhibitions across Western Australia.
The exhibition considers how regional communities imagine their futures, with themes including care for the environment, cultural continuity, migration and belonging. It offers a way to encounter art from different parts of WA within one exhibition. Allow time to read the accompanying material as well as look at the works.
Legacies Karlkurla (Kalgoorlie): Stories From Silky Pear Country
Legacies Karlkurla is also listed in the gallery’s September 2026 programme. Produced by Community Arts Network, it shares the life stories of ten Aboriginal Elders from the Goldfields through portraiture and recorded conversations. The project includes photography by Michael Jalaru Torres and conversations hosted by Debbie Carmody.
The official page shows inconsistent exhibition dates. If this is your main reason for visiting, confirm the dates with the gallery before travelling. The gallery advises that the exhibition includes the names, images and voices of Elders who have died.
Opening hours, entry and how long to allow
For a weekend visit, choose Sunday and check that an exhibition is running. Saturday is a regular closure day. Public holiday closures also apply, even when an exhibition’s advertised date range covers that day.
Allow roughly an hour as a starting point, and longer if you enjoy reading labels, listening to recorded stories or joining an event.
Consult the events programme for talks and other activities. Check each listing for bookings and any charge; free gallery admission does not mean every facilitated activity is free.
Getting to John Curtin Gallery
Finding Building 200A
Use Building 200A, Kent Street, Bentley as your destination. A search for Curtin University alone may direct you to another part of the campus. The gallery’s visitor page links to the nearby car parks and transport information.
The Bentley gallery requires a separate journey from the Perth Cultural Centre and central Perth galleries. For city options, see our Perth art galleries guide.
Public transport
The gallery identifies two nearby Kent Street bus stops: 23924, before Beazley Avenue, and 23927, after Beazley Avenue. Other services use Curtin’s bus stations on the northern and eastern sides of campus.
Use the Transperth JourneyPlanner for your travel date and check the walk from your selected stop to Building 200A. A service arriving at a Curtin bus station may leave you with a longer campus walk than a Kent Street stop.
Parking and payment
The gallery recommends yellow bays in car parks PI1 and PI2, accessed from Beazley Avenue. Curtin lists CellOPark as the payment method for yellow bays during paid hours.
If you prefer a parking meter, Curtin lists meters in blue zones, including PI1. Blue and yellow bays have different rates. Check the colour, signs and payment instructions for the bay you actually use.
Parking is generally free on weekends and after 4.30pm on weekdays. Follow any reserved-bay and time-limit restrictions; EV charging fees still apply. Sunday can suit visitors arriving by car, provided the gallery is open for an exhibition.
See Curtin’s parking zones and current rates before driving. Designated ACROD bays are free for people with a current ACROD permit; the gallery identifies ACROD parking close to the building.
Accessibility, children and group visits
The gallery lists universal access toilets with parents’ facilities inside the building, welcomes accredited service dogs and provides public Wi-Fi. Contact staff before travelling if you need details about a particular access route, seating or assistance.
For a family visit, look at the current exhibition description and any content advice before deciding what will suit your children. Available activities change with the programme.
The education programme includes school visits, tours and workshops. Organised tours and interactive workshops need advance arrangements. Email JCGEducation@curtin.edu.au to discuss availability, group requirements and costs.
Carrolup: Bentley and the separate city exhibition
John Curtin Gallery’s Carrolup visitor information lists both a reflective space at Bentley and an exhibition at Old Perth Boys’ School, 139 St Georges Terrace, Perth. Check which space your visit or booking concerns.
The city exhibition, Once Known, presents artworks created by Aboriginal children at the Carrolup School in the 1940s. These children had been forcibly removed from their families. The exhibition considers their creativity and connection to Country alongside that history.
The official exhibition page currently lists the Perth showing through 15 October 2026, with free entry 11am to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It is closed on Wednesday and weekends. Check the current listing for public holiday arrangements and before planning a visit after that date. The page also advertises a later showing in Albany, which is a different venue.
The exhibition includes images, names and voices of people who have died, and material that may be distressing. Read the gallery’s visitor advice when planning a visit with children or a group.
Add a campus art walk
If the weather suits, extend your Bentley visit with Curtin’s self-guided public art tour. The official page provides a map and audio material for exploring artworks and gardens around campus.
Choose a route that fits your time and mobility needs. An outdoor walk adds a different experience to the gallery visit, but allow for the return journey to your car or bus stop. Scheduled guided campus walks are listed separately; they should not be assumed to run every day.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone visit John Curtin Gallery?
Yes. It is open to the public, including visitors who have no connection with Curtin University. Check that an exhibition is running before travelling.
Is John Curtin Gallery open on Saturday?
No. Its published Bentley opening pattern is Monday to Friday and Sunday during exhibitions, with Saturday and public holiday closures.
Is John Curtin Gallery in Perth city centre?
The main gallery is in Bentley. The separate city exhibition space is at Old Perth Boys’ School on St Georges Terrace. The two venues have different hours.
Can I see the whole Curtin University Art Collection there?
No. Gallery exhibitions show selected works, while other collection works are displayed around campus. Check the programme if you want to see a particular artwork.
