Counterpublic Triennial 2026 Expands Across St. Louis with New Curatorial Ensemble
The Counterpublic Triennial's third iteration, titled 'Coyote Time,' will commence on September 10, 2026, in St. Louis, spanning five locations. Artistic director James McAnally highlights the importance of accountability, access, climate, infrastructure, agency, and Native sovereignty for genuine transformation. Unlike conventional biennials, Counterpublic employs a curatorial 'ensemble' selected from 80 applicants, ensuring a mix of individual and collective perspectives. Featured themes encompass the ecology of the Mississippi River, presented by Stefanie Hessler and Wanda Nanibush, future staging in The Ville by Jordan Carter, collaborative initiatives by Raphael Fonseca, and speculative infrastructures by Nora N. Khan. This triennial will last for three months and draws inspiration from Richard Serra's 'Twain' (1982) and the intimate works of artists like Chloe Bass. Counterpublic originated from The Luminary, which McAnally established in 2007.
Key facts
- The third Counterpublic Triennial, 'Coyote Time,' opens September 10, 2026, in St. Louis.
- The triennial expands across five main sites.
- Artistic director and co-founder is James McAnally.
- Curatorial ensemble includes Stefanie Hessler, Wanda Nanibush, Jordan Carter, Raphael Fonseca, and Nora N. Khan.
- Themes include accountability, access, climate, infrastructure, agency, and Native sovereignty.
- Counterpublic echoes Vito Acconci's idea of public art connecting at least three people.
- Influences cited include Richard Serra's 'Twain' (1982) and artists Chloe Bass and Felix Gonzalez-Torres.
- Counterpublic grew out of The Luminary, founded in 2007, and became a triennial in 2019.
- The Luminary was co-founded by James McAnally and Brea Youngblood.
- The triennial runs for three months.
Entities
Artists
- James McAnally
- Stefanie Hessler
- Wanda Nanibush
- Jordan Carter
- Raphael Fonseca
- Nora N. Khan
- Vito Acconci
- Richard Serra
- Chloe Bass
- Felix Gonzalez-Torres
- Brea Youngblood
- Alan Nakagawa
- Ali Eyal
- Alice Bucknell
- Anika Todd
- Benjamin Patterson
- Brianna Leatherbury
- Carolina Caycedo
- Chris Carl
- Chris Curreri
- Cooper Jacoby
- Dail Chambers
- Emma McCormick-Goodhart
- Glenn Ligon
- Guadalupe Rosales
- Inès Kivimäki
- Jamie Lee Harris
- Jean-Marc Bullet
- Céline Semaan
- Juanita McNeely
- Kite
- Li Yi-Fan
- Lisa Alvarado
- Joshua Abrams
- Lynne Smith
- Malcolm Peacock
- Margaret Honda
- Max Hooper Schneider
- Mee Jey
- Nicholas Galanin
- Occupy Vacancy
- People’s Art and Recreation Center (PARC)
- Petrit Halilaj
- Rachel Youn
- Rebecca Belmore
- Rirkrit Tiravanija
- Ryan Trecartin
- Lizzie Fitch
- Sandra Brewster
- Sebastián Llovera
- Sissel Tolaas
- Stephen Andrews
- Timmy Simonds
- Tom Burr
- Tony Cokes
- Tromarama
- Won Ju Lim
- Ximena Garrido-Lecca
- Yakita Fields
- Vaughn Davis Jr.
- Nick Cave
- LI Yi-Fan
- Tina Turner
- Arthur Ashe
- Dick Gregory
- Grace Bumbry
Institutions
- Counterpublic
- The Luminary
- Hyperallergic
- Contemporary Art Review
- March
- ArtReview
- Counterpublic Triennial
- City Museum
- Pulitzer Arts Foundation
- Kemper Art Museum
- Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
- Saint Louis Art Museum
- Kranzberg Arts Foundation
- International Institute of St. Louis
- National Building Arts Center (NBAC)
- NON STNDRD
- Monsanto
- Sumner High School
- People's Art and Recreation Center (PARC)
- Biennial Foundation
Locations
- St. Louis
- Mississippi River
- The Ville
- Sauget
- United States
- Missouri
- Metro East
- Laclede's Landing
- Mississippi Riverfront
- North St. Louis
- International Institute of St. Louis
- South Grand
- National Building Arts Center
- Gateway Arch
- Monsanto company town