A trailblazing partnership which will create deep impact for communities and for Sydney’s visitor economy.
[11 December 2025, Sydney] The Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia (MCA Australia) and Burwood Council today announced a new multi-year partnership to connect communities across Sydney through contemporary art and cultural experiences.
The MOU was signed today by MCA Director Suzanne Cotter, Burwood Council General Manager Tommaso Briscese, MCA Chairman Lorraine Tarabay
Sharing a mission to engage diverse communities with the very best in contemporary arts and culture, over the next few years MCA Australia and Burwood Council will develop a range of programs that support emerging talent, showcase contemporary art and ideas that connect visitors and communities in Burwood, the Rocks Precinct and beyond.
In 2028, Burwood Council will open the Burwood Culture House, a new multi-artform cultural centre. This will build on a long ranging arts and cultural strategy and vision for Burwood with the support of the MCA.
Kicking off the partnership in 2026, MCA Senior Curator Pedro de Almeida will join the Burwood Art Prize judging panel with the winner to be announced in May.
Also in May, the MCA and Burwood Council will collaborate on ‘MCA Live: Next Stop Burwood’ as part of the MCA’s Biennale of Sydney program. MCA Live: Next Stop Burwood will see performers and artists from across Burwood perform at the Museum as part of its Thursday night MCA Late program and visitors will be invited to embark on a curated journey to Burwood, where the night will continue with performances at Ford Lane, Sydney’s newest live music venue in Burwood.
MCA Director Suzanne Cotter said “The MCA is a destination for Sydneysiders and visitors from around the world and has a long history of engaging with people and communities beyond its walls, through its C3West, access and touring programs and its work with artists, young people and multicultural communities.
This new partnership with Burwood builds on that legacy working with an ambitious and visionary local council that understands the importance and transformative impact of arts and cultural experiences. It will drive traffic and public engagement across the arts, tourism and nighttime economy across Sydney and connect people and communities who live in and visit this amazing city. We could not be more excited about our work together.”
Mayor of Burwood John Faker said “Burwood has a local heart and global spirit. As Sydney’s Cultural Playground, Burwood is more than a place, it is an experience. It is where artistic expression, cultural heritage and creativity intersect.
Our city is being energized by a growing creative economy, and the development of the Burwood Culture House will ensure arts and culture continue to play a central role in shaping Burwood’s evolution.
We are thrilled to be teaming up with the MCA as our next bold step, as we continue to push boundaries and embrace new opportunities to make art more accessible, from local audiences to those across the globe.”
MCA Chairman, Lorraine Tarabay said “This new partnership is a perfect example of how arts and cultural collaborations can drive real impact across Sydney to grow new and diverse voices for contemporary art, cultural participation and inclusivity in the arts. Burwood serves one of Australia’s most culturally rich and rapidly growing communities and shares with the MCA a key demographic of appealing to young and multicultural communities. Working with the ambitious team and Mayor in Burwood provides a brilliant opportunity not only to further the MCA’s mission to platform the very best contemporary art and ideas for all, but also to showcase the diversity of culture that is unique to our city.”
Minister for Arts, Music and Nighttime Economy John Graham said “Burwood is constantly raising the bar for new ways to boost its cultural offering. I’m looking forward to seeing what the MCA and Burwood can do together. It’s great to see Burwood putting arts and culture at the centre of their vibrancy strategy.”
Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director of Business Sydney, said: “This partnership between the MCA and Burwood Council is a bold, trailblazing step for Sydney. By connecting communities through contemporary art and cultural experiences, it will energise our city, support local businesses, and draw visitors from near and far. It’s exciting to see such a forward-thinking collaboration that celebrates emerging talent, diverse cultural voices, and Sydney’s creativity strengthening both our social fabric and our reputation as a vibrant, world-class city.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper said: “Australia’s coolest neighbourhood meets Australia’s coolest arts institution, and this collaboration between Burwood Council and the MCA is a perfect fit with the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy. We’re excited to support this initiative that reflects the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to building better communities and a stronger visitor economy for everyone.”
Further partnership projects will be announced in due course.
*As voted by Timeout, September 2025.
