Creative Australia is casting the net for local artists to feature in the Venice Biennale art exhibition in 2026.
The Australian Government’s principal arts investment and advisory body has opened Expressions of Interest (EOI) for artistic proposals for the Australia Pavilion for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale 2026).
In a statement Creative Australia said the Venice Biennale was a significant international visual arts event that allowed Australian contemporary art and stories to be connected to wider global contemporary art discourses.
Queensland artist and QUT alumni Archie Moore won the Golden Lion for best national participation at the 2024 Venice Biennale – the first time an Australian artwork has won the prize.
Creative Australia said Australia’s participation in the Venice Biennale provided Australian artists and curators with a high-profile international opportunity that included important international exposure to new audiences, markets, and contexts.
“This exposure builds the profile of Australian contemporary art and stimulates new international cultural links, networks and dialogue for Australian artists and curators.”
It said Creative Australia was the commissioner in the category of National Participation for the Venice Biennale as well as the producing manager.
“The successful artistic team will work in close collaboration with the Creative Australia project team from concept through to the development, launch, presentation and deinstallation.”
Creative Australia said it was looking for “a compelling and viable exhibition concept that signals the depth and complexity of Australia’s contemporary art and cultural stories”.
“Proposal(s) should consider the context of the presentation – within the global setting of the Venice Biennale, its unique audience as well as the length of presentation.”
