About

PHOTO Australia is a champion of Australian photographic arts on the world stage.

Every two years we produce PHOTO International Festival of Photography, a global celebration of the artform in Melbourne/Naarm—Australia’s capital of photography—and cities across Victoria. Presented in collaboration with museums and galleries, the festival presents a free trail of exhibitions and ambitious outdoor artworks that activate public spaces, alongside events, film screenings, tours and more.

PHOTO Australia plays a vital role in commissioning, publishing, and mentoring artists, while also strengthening the sector through networking, events, and professional programs. By forming strategic international partnerships, we create opportunities for Australian artists to connect with global audiences and showcase inspiring international artists in Australia.

Dedicated to bringing new photography, art and ideas to audiences in engaging ways, we are continually pushing the boundaries of photography and its ability to inform, provoke and inspire.

PHOTO Australia is a not-for-profit charitable organisation with DGR status.

Inspired by the strong photography and visual arts community in Melbourne/Naarm, PHOTO Australia was founded by Elias Redstone to produce a major photography biennial in Australia inspired by, and shaped in collaboration with, the photography sector. The organisation was formed with founding Board members Naomi Milgrom AC, Bill Bowness AO and Mark Henry in 2018. Prior to this, Elias spent two years developing the scope of the biennial through consultation with photographers, artists, curators, gallerists and educators.

PHOTO International Festival of Photography was envisioned as a global gathering point for photographers, artists, curators and audiences in the Southern Hemisphere, in turn shining a spotlight on Melbourne/Naarm as a hub for photography and visual arts. The Festival structure invites museums and galleries to curate their own responses to a central theme, while PHOTO Australia commissions ambitious outdoor installations that consider the city as a canvas for public art, creating new opportunities for artists and new experiences for audiences.

The first biennial was conceived as PHOTO 2020 International Festival of Photography. It was postponed and delivered as PHOTO 2021, followed by PHOTO 2022 to re-align with Australia’s other major art biennials in Sydney and Adelaide. Our third edition, PHOTO 2024, featured 152 artists from 39 countries and was viewed by over 300,000 people.

PHOTO Australia was always conceived as more than a festival – it was created as a platform to support Australian photographers and artists through commissioning new work, publishing photobooks, mentoring emerging talent, and connecting the sector in Australia with international festivals, museums and galleries.

PHOTO Australia is a small arts organisation that works collaboratively to provide meaningful opportunities for artists, to create impactful cultural experiences for audiences, and to help build a vibrant, supportive arts ecosystem. Our work is possible through strong relationships with artists, partners, and the community.

We are committed to representing and supporting a plurality of voices within the photographic arts. We ensure all the artists we work with are paid, and seek to make engagement with great photography accessible by keeping our exhibition program free.

We strive for inclusion and equity in everything we do, continually learning and growing as an organisation.

We are committed to supporting Australian photography on the world stage, creating networks with the international photography community, and securing opportunities for artists.

PHOTO Australia is committed to ongoing evolution. We gather feedback from artists, audiences and stakeholders to assess our program’s impact to identify future enhancements and opportunities.

PHOTO Australia does not receive multi-year funding from the Federal or State government. We are reliant on the support of our community. Our funding comes from donations, philanthropic trusts and foundations, partnerships, government grants, sponsorship and consultancy services.

PHOTO Australia’s Curatorial Policy underpins PHOTO International Festival of Photography’s artistic vision and programming. It drives our work and provides a framework for our partners to adhere to, ensuring a cohesive Festival experience.

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PHOTO Australia understands that your privacy is important. This policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

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PHOTO Australia’s Social Media Moderation Policy informs practices of using and moderating comments on PHOTO Australia’s digital platforms.

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