Biennale Arte 2026: entire jury resigns, replaced by popular vote
The 61st Venice Biennale, named 'In Minor Keys' and curated by Koyo Kouoh, is in disarray following the resignation of the entire international jury just days before its opening on May 9. The jury, headed by president Solange Farkas, resigned after discussions with President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco regarding the exclusion of Russia and Israel from awards due to purported international offenses. Buttafuoco revealed a significant shift: winners will now be determined through a popular vote, and two new awards will be selected by ticket holders using a digital tracking system. The award ceremony has been rescheduled for November 22, 2026. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli will skip the pre-opening, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has distanced herself from the reopening of the Russian pavilion.
Key facts
- Entire international jury of the 61st Venice Biennale resigned collectively days before the May 9 opening.
- The jury wanted to exclude Russia and Israel from award consideration due to alleged international crimes.
- President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco rejected the jury's stance, calling the Biennale an 'art UN' open to dialogue.
- Buttafuoco replaced the jury with a popular vote system: two new awards decided by ticket holders.
- New awards: 'Leone dei Visitatori per il miglior partecipante' and 'Leone per la migliore Partecipazione Nazionale'.
- Award ceremony postponed from opening day to November 22, 2026 (closing day).
- Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli will not attend pre-opening or inauguration, an absence unseen in twenty years.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni distanced herself from reopening the Russian pavilion but praised Buttafuoco.
Entities
Artists
- Koyo Kouoh
- Solange Farkas
- Zoe Butt
- Elvira Dyangani Ose
- Marta Kuzma
- Giovanna Zapperi
Institutions
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia
- Ministero della Cultura
- Collezione da Tiffany
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Arsenale
- Giardini
- Russia
- Israel