“Following the end of the Catalyst Fund and the RISE Fund in 2023, Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe has received no federal government arts funding to stage the large-scale exhibition that transforms Cottesloe beach for 230,000 visitors over 18 days in March each year,” they said.

“One of Perth’s largest, longest running and most beloved public events, it was founded on the idea of providing a major free exhibition to transform Cottesloe beach into a temporary world-class sculpture park for everyone to enjoy.

“However, organisers see no other choice but to cancel the 2025 edition due to the significant costs of mounting a free exhibition of this scale.”

Over the 20 years of the event, 596 artists from 44 countries had participated.

“Exhibiting artists collectively contribute approximately $1 million towards the costs of displaying their sculptures, with 50 per cent of the artists not recovering any of their costs from sculpture sales or the artist awards or subsidies,” organisers said in a statement.

Loading

“Nevertheless, a very large number of artists from WA and around the world are in full support of the exhibition and the unique opportunity it provides sculptors to showcase their artworks to people from all walks of life in a stunning natural location.”

WA artists have signed a letter to the federal arts minister or written their own, asking for funding to resume.

Denise Pepper, a Perth-based artist who has exhibited at the Cottesloe event 10 times since 2009, said it had been a “game-changer” in her career.

WA artist Dr Jon Tarry said the lack of funding “felt like a funeral”.

“We can’t believe it’s happening and how anyone responsible for the public arts in Australia could let this happen. Sculpture by the Sea is what every city in the world would love to have,” he said.

Liberal candidate for Cottesloe Sandra Brewer said she had been in contact with the Sculpture by the Sea team over the past few months as they worked to secure a sponsor.

“I’m hopeful that a last-minute appeal for assistance might prove successful,” she said.

“At a time when many in our community are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, community events like Sculpture by the Sea offer an accessible way to enjoy a family day out and engage with the arts.

“I’m saddened that so many people will now be denied that opportunity.”

This is not the first time the organisers of Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe have been forced to consider pausing the exhibition but, unlike in previous years, no solution has been found.

Private donors rescued the event in 2019.

In 2020, only public donations matched by billionaire Andrew Forrest allowed the show to go on, and it was forced to close three days early because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State sponsorships only represent about 20 per cent of the $2.2 million the event costs annually. Private donors and sales commissions each contribute another 20 per cent and corporate donors 10 per cent, with other smaller income streams making up the rest.

In 2021 Tourism Western Australia stepped in, with three years of funding.

Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea David Handley said he hoped the federal government would support the exhibition to enable it to return in 2026.

“As Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe grew in response to the large number of visitors, the interest from artists around the world and the scale of the sculptures, so did the costs to stage each exhibition,” Handley said.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.