What's on at Sydney Contemporary
Sydney Contemporary transforms Carriageworks into a vibrant destination for contemporary art each spring, bringing together leading galleries, artists and audiences from across Australia and around the world. Alongside the Fair’s gallery sectors, the curated programme spans talks, guided tours, workshops, live performances and large-scale installations, offering multiple ways to engage with contemporary art.
Explore highlights from the 2026 edition below. Sydney Contemporary returns to Carriageworks from 9–12 September 2027, with the VIP Preview on 8 September. The 2027 programme will be announced in July 2027.
PROGRAMME SECTORS
Hear artists, curators and leading voices discuss the ideas, practices and debates shaping contemporary art, architecture and design.
Discover large-scale works and site-specific installations that bring contemporary art into the spaces of Carriageworks, extending the Fair beyond the gallery booth.
Experience contemporary art through live performance, from experimental projects to works that bring together movement, sound and spectacle.
Art Night
Sydney’s biggest night of contemporary art. Celebrate the opening of Sydney Contemporary with art, music, performances and late-night dining at Carriageworks.
Friday Night
Make a night of it at Carriageworks, with contemporary art, music, food and drinks alongside the Fair’s evening programme.
MA Art Prize
Celebrating emerging and early-career Australian artists, the MA Art Prize recognises outstanding contemporary art and supports artists in developing their practice, established by Sydney Contemporary’s Principal Partner, MA Financial Group.
Guided Tours
Explore the Fair with knowledgeable guides, discovering key artworks, artists and ideas across the galleries and sectors.
Artist Booth Talks
Go beyond the artwork with conversations that bring artists and their practices into focus, offering insight into the ideas, processes and stories behind the work.
Interactive Experiences
Get closer to the art through exhibitor-led experiences that invite visitors to engage with artists, artworks and ideas in unexpected ways.
Dedicated Art Bookshop
Browse a considered selection of books and publications spanning contemporary art, design and architecture, including new releases and collectible titles.
Kid Contemporary
A dedicated space for younger visitors to explore art through creativity, play and imagination, with a commissioned artist at its centre.
Fair Dining
Take a break between gallery visits with food and drinks at Carriageworks, from casual bites to options for a longer lunch or dinner.
GALLERY SECTORS
The heart of Sydney Contemporary, bringing together leading Australian and international galleries to present curated solo and group exhibitions by established and emerging artists.
A dedicated fair-within-a-fair for contemporary photography, bringing together works by established and emerging artists from Australia and beyond.
Discover emerging galleries and artist-run initiatives established within the past five years, presenting curated solo and duo exhibitions of new work.
Explore contemporary works on paper across drawing, watercolour, printmaking, artist books and editions, showcasing the breadth and possibilities of the medium.
