Best Arts and Culture Places in The Phoenix

"Affectionately known as the MCA, Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art is one of our absolute favourite places to go - it is just so family-friendly!. While we love their ever-changing schedule of fantastic exhibitions, they also run family tours and kid's activities to introduce mini creatives to art. We recommend Art Safari or Art Baby for a perfect family day at the museum and the Bella Family program for families with special needs."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art holds Australia's premier collection of painting, photography, sculpture and multimedia work by living artists, both international and Australian. Current exhibitions include surveys of the work of Destiny Deacon, Michael Armitage and Shaun Gladwell. The museum occupies the former Maritime Services Board Building, an imposing art deco space completed in 1952."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) houses an ever-changing line-up of thought-provoking exhibitions and events. It showcases contemporary art from both Australian and international artists. Both established and emerging artists are all well represented as the MCA attempts to display the diversity of contemporary art in its various forms."

"The Artists’ Paradise, or TAP for short, is one of Sydney’s longest-running artist-run spaces, also set in the Surry Hills area of Sydney. Established in 1989, it’s been at the heart and soul of Sydney’s burgeoning art scene for three decades, with regularly changing exhibits and the chance to talk to the artists about their work. Its entirely uncurated approach means that it’s open to artists of all genres to exhibit or perform their work, making it one of the most exciting galleries to visit in Sydney."

"One of the most loved art spaces in Sydney is definitely Tap. It supported a number of Australian artists such as Andrew Logan, Carlos Barrios, James Powditch, and Mark Hanham, among others. Tap is also the place to be for Sydneysiders who want entertainment, as Tap operates as a performing and visual arts center, alongside the exhibitions that occur at the space."

"Founded in 1995 and run by Campbell Robertson-Swann and Lauren Harvey, Defiance Gallerymaintains a reputation as a leading gallery featuring the highest quality Australian and International sculptureand painting. The gallery’s support for sculpture and display of the innovative stable of both Australian and international artists forms the varied exhibition calendar. Organizing such events, Defiance Gallery also facilitates and curates a wide variety of satellite exhibitions in collaboration with institutions such as the Nock Art Foundation, Hong Kong, and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy."

"The Oxford Art Factory in Sydney’s best boutique live music venue – the 500-person performance space was inspired by Andy Warhol’s Factory in New York in the 1960s, and welcomes plenty of high-profile local and international acts to its stage – and after the roadies pack up the band’s kit, hang around for a nightcap at the Gallery and the Live Art Space."

"The Henson is a chilled little neighbourhood spot, perfect for an evening meal or afternoon lunch with the family. Boasting a gorgeous open-air back garden and a chic courtyard for sunnier days, as well as a simple and safe play area, both adults and children will be seduced by The Henson. A nod to its locale (Marrickville), the venue is very on-trend and a bit grungy, but adults will be able to relax and let the wee ones play about in its safe and enclosed dining and play area."

"The leafy beer garden has a large adjoining children's playroom, a dog-friendly courtyard and the kids’ menu includes a rainbow salad and the usual suspects like chicken nuggets and chips for $9. The menus are pretty good too with almost everything made in house or sourced from local suppliers making this a real Sydney institution. Tables in the beer garden are in high demand, especially with pram-accessible entry, so get in early."

"The Henson is an incredible, community-minded restaurant in Marrickville; one of the trendiest and art-centered neighborhoods in Sydney. This restaurant is fun for kids, just as much as it is for adults. One one hand, children can enjoy themselves in the ball pit at the back, or in the courtyard play area decorated with toys to play with."

"A great spot to take kids in summer, Putney Park features climbing equipment for kids of all ages plus two shallow pools connected by a pebble creek and a large climbing web. Read more about Putney Park here."

"It was only a year ago that I worked across from Putney Park and marvelled at its ability to evoke peels of laughter from children all day every day that would carry across Parramatta River."

"A 9 hectare green space connecting to Sydney University, Victoria Park features a beautiful lake, playground for kids of all ages and plenty of shady trees, right in the middle of the city. Get more info on Victoria Park here."