Art Not Genocide Alliance Demands Israel's Exclusion from 2026 Venice Biennale
The Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) has formally requested that the Venice Biennale not include Israel in its 2026 exhibition. Their appeal, which has garnered 232 endorsements from various factions including 18 national pavilions and 104 artists, stems from concerns over Israel's participation in the 61st International Art Exhibition set for October 2025. This initiative aligns with a larger effort to advocate for Palestinian civil rights. Additionally, ANGA is scheduled to participate in a major 24-hour strike on May 8, 2026, in collaboration with Italian labor groups. They are also preparing new awareness materials to bolster their campaign.
Key facts
- ANGA delivered a letter demanding Israel's exclusion from the 2026 Venice Biennale.
- The letter has 232 signatories: 18 national pavilions, 104 artists, 38 curators, 76 art workers.
- ANGA has not received any response from the Biennale.
- A 24-hour strike is planned for May 8, 2026, the first ever within the Biennale.
- The strike is called by ADL Cobas, USB, CUB, ANGA, and Biennalocene.
- ANGA aligns with the Palestinian Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
- Local allies include S.a.L.E. Docks, Biennalocene, and Mi Riconosci.
- ANGA is producing an updated Guide to Complicity and protest materials.
Entities
Institutions
- Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- Venice Biennale (La Biennale di Venezia)
- Palestinian Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI)
- ADL Cobas
- USB
- CUB
- Biennalocene
- S.a.L.E. Docks
- Mi Riconosci
- Italian Ministry of Culture
- NERO Editions
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Gaza
- West Bank
- Lebanon
- Iran
- Arsenale
- Giardini
- Viale Garibaldi