<The 2026 Venice Biennale, Explained — Art News
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article event calendar_today Monday, April 20, 2026

The 2026 Venice Biennale, Explained

The 2026 Venice Biennale, the 61st edition of the world's oldest and most prestigious contemporary art biennial, will run from May 9th to November 22nd, with previews from May 6th to 8th. Its central curated exhibition is titled "In Minor Keys," and it will be accompanied by a series of national pavilions.

The Biennale serves as a critical global barometer for contemporary art, setting trends and launching careers. Its structure, combining a thematic international exhibition with sovereign national presentations, creates a unique diplomatic and artistic forum that influences the art market, museum acquisitions, and critical discourse worldwide for years to come.