Manifesta 16, the nomadic European biennial, has revealed the full list of 106 artists from 30 countries who will participate in its 2026 edition. The event will open on 21 June and take place across 12 decommissioned modernist churches in four cities in Germany's Ruhr region: Bochum, Essen, Duisburg, and Gelsenkirchen. The program includes 64 new commissions.
The announcement is significant as it outlines the ambitious, site-specific vision for one of Europe's most prominent contemporary art events. Curated by a team of eight, this edition aims to repurpose religious architecture to explore alternative social models and foster community engagement, marking a distinct thematic and geographical focus for the biennial as it continues its nomadic mission.