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 and Mayor of Burwood John Faker, supported by Minister for Multiculturalism, Jobs and Tourism, Stephen Kamper, and attended by Executive Director of Business Sydney, Paul Nicolaou.

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.”