The Power is on - Powerhouse Parramatta opens

Thousands of people are expected to visit Western Sydney this weekend as Powerhouse Parramatta, the largest museum in NSW history, officially opens its doors to the public.

The Powerhouse Parramatta is one of the first major cultural institutions to be built in Western Sydney.

More than 26,000 people have registered to attend during opening weekend, with entry free to the public.

In addition to the huge demand for the first weekend, a further 6,500 tickets have been sold for paid events during the opening festival period which runs until 29 November. Sixty-five percent of the opening program events are free, and all people under sixteen years old will receive free entry for all exhibitions. Expected to be a huge drawcard, Powerhouse Parramatta is a world class cultural institution in the heart of Sydney’s West that will drive cultural and economic growth.

With more than 3,000 objects across five exhibitions including over 1,600 from the Powerhouse collection and developed in collaboration with 85 international, national, and local industry and community partners there is something for everyone at Powerhouse Parramatta.

The exhibits include:

Across five exhibitions, developed in collaboration with 85 international, national, and local industry and community partners there is something for everyone.

Visitors might meet Meg Stevenson, aged 100, who has volunteered with the museum for over 30 years. Or, find the dinosaur, horseshow and T80 paper model bus in The Dark exhibition, donated by the museum’s youngest collaborators Thoedore Bui, Jason Cilia and Tyler Pham Luu, all aged four.

Work to deliver this iconic new cultural institution has been completed by a 4,000 strong workforce who collectively have contributed more than 2.7 million hours of work on the site.

Local workers and businesses were central to constructing the project, with three-quarters of the workforce from Western Sydney and $329 million going to Western Sydney businesses.

The project was first initiated by the former Liberal-National Government under Premier Mike Baird, with the Minns Labor Government completing the work to deliver this world-class cultural institution for Western Sydney.

Powerhouse Parramatta will operate seven days a week, and during the festival opening, the museum will stay open until 9pm from Thursday to Sunday.

Mondays to Wednesday the museum will open from 10 am to 5pm. Dining locations, Samara and Folded, will also be open from 8am to late.

For more information visit https://powerhouse.com.au/program

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said: ‘Credit where credit is due - we have to give the former Government especially former Premier Mike Baird recognition for starting the work on this incredible institution which the public is now able to explore.’

‘This is a huge moment for Western Sydney, and a massive drawcard this part of Sydney.

‘This is about having massive cultural institutions across our city - people in the west deserve world-class culture and infrastructure that we see in global cities - it's what makes Western Sydney a such a wonderful place to live.

‘Not only is Powerhouse Parramatta an interesting place to go, families can enjoy it without having to reach into their back pocket.’

Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said: ‘This weekend marks an historic milestone as Powerhouse Parramatta opens its doors as a world-class cultural and educational hub, right in the heart of Western Sydney.

‘Alongside the new Western Sydney Airport and the Metro West project, this museum will cement Western Sydney as a global destination and inspire the region’s future scientists, designers, and engineers.’

Minister for the Arts, John Graham said: ‘The opening of Powerhouse Parramatta is about people. It is about the industry, artists, scientists and creatives around the museum, the vast collection and the people whose stories are told.

‘Powerhouse Parramatta will be a magnet for visitors from around the region, the state, the country and the world.’

Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said: ‘Powerhouse Parramatta is more than a museum. It is a game changer for Western Sydney and its future.

‘The Powerhouse will draw visitors from near and far, strengthening Parramatta's position as a premier destination while delivering lasting economic and community benefits.’

‘The museum is a celebration of applied arts and sciences, showcasing Australian and global innovations of art, science, technology, engineering and design on an unprecedented scale. The building itself invites the community in to explore the possibilities.’

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said: ‘Powerhouse Parramatta is more than a landmark building on our riverfront. It is an important cultural institution at the service of our community, their stories, their industries, their imagination. It is going to transform our city.’

Powerhouse Interim CEO, Abbie Galvin said: ‘Without people and communities, there are no objects, there’s no museum – just an empty building. As of today, we have a building filled with great objects, great stories, and people inside to bring it to life. made possible by a large and dedicated group of artists, collaborators, staff and communities.’