Biennale

The Venice Biennale is an important world-renowned institution that has been promoting new trends in contemporary arts since 1895. The program is rich and includes exhibitions, performances, training and research activities. The historic location of the event, which hosted the first editions, is the current Central Pavilion of the Giardini della Biennale, once Palazzo Pro Arte and then the Italian Pavilion. Today there are 29 national pavilions and to these are added other locations in various districts of Venice, the most famous being the Arsenale.

The Biennale was born as an art exhibition but during the twentieth century it expanded its range of interest by proposing festivals and exhibitions dedicated to other disciplines and subjects, in particular music, cinematographic art, dance, theatre and architecture. The adoption of a multidisciplinary model is therefore the most significant characteristic of this event, which contributes to maintaining Venice as an extremely stimulating city from an artistic and cultural point of view.

The Art and Architecture Biennale

Although the areas of interest of the event are multiple, the term Biennale usually refers to the Art and Architecture exhibitions. As per tradition, the two exhibitions are held in alternate years and are mainly held in the Central Pavilion and in the 29 pavilions, each assigned to a country, of the Giardini della Biennale. To these is now usually added the Arsenale.

The 2026 Architecture Biennale

The 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled In Minor Keys and curated by Koyo Kouoh, will take place from Saturday 9 May to Sunday 22 November 2026, with preview days scheduled for 6, 7 and 8 May. The exhibition will be hosted at the historic venues of the Giardini and the Arsenale, as well as in several other locations throughout Venice.

With the consent and full support of Koyo Kouoh’s family, following her passing on 10 May 2025, La Biennale di Venezia has decided to fully realise her curatorial vision. The Exhibition will be developed in accordance with the project as she conceived and defined it, with the aim of preserving, enhancing and disseminating her ideas and work as widely as possible.