Every two years, the Venice Biennale transforms Venice into a living museum. Founded in 1895, this international cultural extravaganza has grown into one of the world’s most influential exhibitions of contemporary art, architecture, cinema, dance, music, and theater, showcasing groundbreaking work from more than 90 nations.
Through a dynamic mix of national pavilions and a guest-curated international showcase, the Biennale elevates artists to global prominence, highlights emerging trends, and sets the standard for large-scale cultural events. Art historian Jennie Hirsh explores the biennale’s rich history and its landmark 2026 edition, tracing how this event not only shaped contemporary art and exhibitions since its inception but also continues to serve as a leading force in the global art world.
May 14 A History of the Venice Biennale
Founded to celebrate Italian art, the Biennale also embraced an international outlook from the outset, mimicking conventions previously established by European world’s fairs, inviting artists from across Europe and beyond to represent their home countries by exhibiting in the Giardini, or gardens, home to the world’s first permanent national pavilions. For more than a century, this institution has endured world wars, political upheavals, debates over internationalism, and even crisis like the recent Covid-19 pandemic, emerging as a bellwether of artistic innovation across painting, sculpture, performance, installation, and new media. Hirsh highlights the evolution of the national pavilions, the rise of thematic exhibitions curated by guest curators, and landmark shows, situating the Biennale within a global context alongside major international exhibitions such as Germany’s Documenta and Brazil’s Bienal de São Paulo.
June 18 The 2026 Biennale: “In Minor Keys”
From May 9 to November 22, In Minor Keys unfolds across Venice’s historic city spaces. Conceived by the late Koyo Kouoh, the first African woman appointed to lead the Venice Biennale, this edition is being realized posthumously by her chosen team and reflects her human-centered approach to art as a space for empathy, reflection, and imagination.
Hirsh offers a first look at the 61st Biennale, highlighting Kouoh’s group show, a selection of national pavilions, and key exhibitions installed at neighboring contemporary art institutions, like the Punta della Dogana and Palazzo Grassi, across the city. She presents standout works, pivotal projects, and landmark installations, revealing why the 2026 edition marks a historic moment and how the Biennale continues to set the standard for contemporary art worldwide.
2 sessions
General Information
