Biennale Arte 2026 In Minor Keys by Koyo Kouoh

The presentation of the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia – “In Minor Keys” by Koyo Kouoh – took place May 27, 2025 in the Sala delle Colonne at Ca’ Giustinian, the Biennale’s headquarters in San Marco. The exhibition will run from Saturday 9 May to Sunday 22 November 2026 (with pre-opening days on 7, 8 and 9 May) at the Giardini, the Arsenale, and various other venues across Venice.

The unveiling of the title and curatorial vision of the 61st Exhibition, originally scheduled for Tuesday 20 May 2025, was announced May 27, 2025 following the sudden passing of the Curator, Koyo Kouoh, on 10 May 2025 — a loss that has deeply moved the global art and cultural community.

With the full support of Koyo Kouoh’s family, La Biennale di Venezia has decided to carry out her Exhibition. It will do so according to the project as conceived and defined by her, also to preserve, honour, and widely share her ideas and the work she pursued with dedication until the very end.

On 17 October 2024, Koyo Kouoh accepted the invitation from the President of La Biennale di Venezia, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, to serve as Artistic Director of the Visual Arts Department and to curate the 61st International Art Exhibition. On 5 November 2024, the Board of Directors of La Biennale formally appointed her as Director of the Visual Arts Department, entrusting her with the curatorship of the 61st Exhibition. As per institutional practice, her appointment was announced to the press on 3 December 2024, at the close of the 60th International Art Exhibition, curated by Adriano Pedrosa.

Between mid-October 2024 and early May 2025, Koyo Kouoh worked intensively on the development of the curatorial project: drafting the theoretical framework, selecting artists and artworks, identifying contributors to the exhibition catalogue, defining the graphic identity of the Exhibition and the layout of the display spaces, and engaging in dialogue with invited artists.

“In Minor Keys” is the title chosen by Koyo Kouoh for the 61st International Art Exhibition, as set out in the curatorial text attached to this press release and submitted to the President of La Biennale on 8 April 2025. At that time, she wrote:

“In October 2024, I was given the great honour of being appointed curator of the 61st edition of the Biennale Arte. It is with pleasure that I share today with you and your team the philosophical framework that will guide my curatorship of the exhibition.”

The 61st Exhibition will be realised by La Biennale di Venezia with the collaboration of the professionals selected and directly involved by Koyo Kouoh. The team includes advisors Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Hélène Pereira and Rasha Salti; editor-in-chief Siddhartha Mitter; and assistant Rory Tsapayi.

All details of the project — including the list of artists invited to the International Exhibition, the graphic identity, exhibition design, and the list of countries participating in the 61st Exhibition — will be unveiled during the customary presentation to be held in Venice on Wednesday 25 February 2026.

La Biennale di Venezia also announces the start of a new partnership with Bvlgari, which from the 61st edition onwards will be the Exclusive Partner of the International Art Exhibition for three consecutive editions (2026, 2028, 2030).

Founded in Rome in 1884, the High Jewellery Maison renews its commitment to supporting contemporary art, creative expression, and intercultural dialogue, highlighting the value of art as a universal language.

Main sponsor of Biennale Arte 2026 is illycaffè, and Vela – Venezia Unica is a sponsor.