Perth's iconic and much-loved Sculpture by the Sea exhibition will make a triumphant return to Cottesloe Beach in March 2026, ending a year-long absence forced by a sudden federal funding cut. The large-scale outdoor art event was dramatically cancelled in 2025, which was meant to be its 20th anniversary year, leaving artists and visitors deeply disappointed.
Funding Crisis and Government Rescue
The exhibition's future was thrown into doubt last year when the Federal Government's arts body, Creative Australia, denied it a crucial four-year investment grant. This decision resulted in a $700,000 federal funding shortfall that organisers said made the 2025 event impossible to stage. While some federal funds were later offered, organisers chose to decline them to ensure the exhibition could remain at its iconic Cottesloe Beach location.
In a decisive move to revive the cultural staple, the Western Australian State Government has now committed $570,000 to secure the exhibition's return. Tourism Minister Reece Whitby expressed widespread enthusiasm, stating, "Sculpture by the Sea draws hundreds of thousands of people to our iconic Cottesloe Beach. Everyone loves this exhibition, so it was disappointing it wasn't held in Perth last year — we're thrilled to see it return."
What to Expect for the 2026 Return
The highly anticipated 18-day exhibition is scheduled to run from March 6 to March 23, 2026. It will once again transform the stunning Cottesloe coastline into a world-class, open-air sculpture park. Visitors can look forward to more than 70 large-scale sculptures created by local, national, and international artists.
In an exciting addition for 2026, a concurrent indoor exhibition will be held at the Sea View Golf Club, featuring 120 small contemporary sculptural works. As one of WA's largest free public art events, the exhibition is expected to attract crowds in the hundreds of thousands, providing a massive boost to local businesses and tourism.
A Legacy of Art and Economic Impact
Over its distinguished 20-year history, Sculpture by the Sea at Cottesloe has become an institution. The event has showcased:
- More than 1,200 sculptures.
- Works by over 500 artists from 44 countries.
- An estimated 3.5 million visitors.
The economic impact is significant, with organisers calculating the event injected $4.5 million into the local economy in 2024 alone.
Founding CEO and artistic director David Handley said he was delighted to bring the exhibition back to Perth. "We thank the artists, Tourism WA, Lotterywest, Austrade, and all our sponsors and donors for helping make this exhibition possible as a free public event," Mr Handley said. "We look forward to transforming Cottesloe Beach into a world-class sculpture park for everyone to enjoy."
