The Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) has joined forces with the acclaimed and historic hotel to host a series of exclusive photo exhibitions year round.

Craig’s Royal Hotel is set to host three photo exhibitions in its grand interiors every year, solidifying the city’s reputation as a hub of arts, culture and photography. 

The newly-established collaboration will also provide audiences from near and far with access to exclusive works by renowned photographers from across the world, with the first exhibition coming from two of today’s most significant practicing Dutch photographers – Erwin Olaf and Hendrik Kerstens.

The exhibition is very exciting for art lovers in Ballarat and beyond, says BIFB director Fiona Sweet.

“It’s a huge coup for Ballarat to have Olaf exhibited in the city,” Ms Sweet says.

“Olaf has had numerous important group and solo exhibitions all over the world, and his visually sophisticated and conceptually provocative style has been embraced by both the editorial and advertising world.

“To have access to a space as majestic as Craig’s Royal Hotel to showcase this stunning work is particularly exciting for us.

“We are thrilled to have established this collaboration with Craig’s and we’re sure it will do wonders cementing Ballarat’s position as a hive of art and culture.”

The exclusive exhibition will also feature the work of high-profile photographer Hendrik Kerstens, whose photos are also critically acclaimed worldwide.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is looking for public support to consolidate its purchase of the iconic Union Bank in Lydiard Street to create the new National Centre For Photography, and is currently undertaking new public ventures. The Olaf/Kerstens exhibition will be presented between November 10 and February 24 at Craig’s Royal Hotel, 10 Lydiard Street Sth, Ballarat. Entry is free.