Bana Kattan to Curate UAE Pavilion at 2026 Venice Biennale

Bana Kattan has been appointed as the curator for the UAE's National Pavilion at the upcoming Venice Biennale Arte, scheduled from May 9 to November 22, 2026. A selection committee composed of distinguished members from UAE museums, educational institutions, and government chose her for this role. Kattan, who has experience as an associate curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, has also organized exhibitions at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, emphasizing Emirati and regional artists. Growing up in the UAE, her curatorial projects bridge diverse artistic expressions and generations while exploring socio-political and historical matters. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, the UAE Minister of Culture, highlighted the ministry's commitment to showcasing the nation's cultural stories globally, valuing Kattan's expertise and connections.