The festival comprises a program of major exhibitions, a fringe program for emerging and established photographers, and an outdoor public program taking the arts to the streets of Ballarat.

In its 11-year history, the BIFB has attracted more than 150,000 visitors to Ballarat and was awarded Community Activity of the Year at last year’s Ballarat Australia Day Awards.

“Photography is the most democratic of art-forms, everyone uses it every day and we have such a visual literacy now, especially with young people,” says newly appointed creative director Fiona Sweet, who adds that BIFB is also about the discovery of Ballarat.

Spread throughout various streets, the event enables the exploration of not only the city’s great heritage buildings, but also cafes and other spaces that aren’t necessarily exhibition spaces.

“In 2017, we intend to put art in the streets 24/7,” says Sweet. “Life in Ballarat can be just as compelling visually as it looks in Detroit or a remote Cambodian village. What engages us is the perspective.”

David LaChapelle is recognised as one of the most important photographers of today, able to transcend the barriers between fine art and commercial photography, while communicating a profound social message.

His career spans more than 30 years and has seen him photograph some of the world’s most famous faces, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Eminem, Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Taylor, and Lady Gaga.

This is the first time LaChapelle has presented an exhibition in Australia, and the BIFB will be the only national presenter of his works, almost 90 in total.

“David LaChapelle is provocative, at times irreverent, and emblematic of what the biennale aspires to be,” says Sweet. “We believe this exhibition will enhance our reputation as a world-class event and bring new audiences to our beautiful town of Ballarat.”

Ballarat International Foto Biennale runs from 19 August to 17 September.

For more information, visit www.ballaratfoto.org.