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The 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled In Minor Keys and curated by Koyo Kouoh, will run from Saturday, 9 May to Sunday, 22 November 2026 (preview days: 6, 7, and 8 May), across the Giardini, the Arsenale, and various locations throughout Venice.

The title and curatorial vision of the 61st Exhibition, originally scheduled to be announced on 20 May 2025, were revealed following the sudden passing of Koyo Kouoh on 10 May 2025. The institution will realize the project in accordance with her original vision, to preserve, advance, and widely disseminate her ideas and the work she pursued with such dedication until the very end.

Between mid-October 2024 and early May 2025, Kouoh worked intensively on the curatorial project, defining its theoretical framework, selecting the artists and artworks, appointing the catalogue authors, shaping the exhibition’s graphic identity and spatial design, and establishing sustained dialogue with the invited participants.

In Minor Keys is the title chosen by Kouoh for the 61st International Art Exhibition, as articulated in the curatorial text submitted to the President of La Biennale di Venezia on 8 April 2025. In that text, she wrote: “In October 2024, I was greatly honoured to be appointed curator of the 61st edition of Biennale Arte. It is with pleasure that I share today with you and your team the philosophical framework that will guide my curatorship of the exhibition.”

The 61st Exhibition will be produced by La Biennale di Venezia, in collaboration with the professionals selected and directly involved by Kouoh. The curatorial team includes advisors Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Hélène Pereira, and Rasha Salti; editor-in-chief Siddhartha Mitter; and assistant Rory Tsapayi.

New Partnerships and Sponsors

La Biennale di Venezia also announces a new collaboration with Bvlgari, which will serve as the Exclusive Partner of the International Art Exhibition for three consecutive editions (2026, 2028, 2030). Founded in Rome in 1884, the high jewellery Maison renews its commitment to supporting contemporary art, creative expression, and intercultural dialogue, underscoring art’s role as a universal language.

The Main Sponsor of Biennale Arte 2026 is illycaffè, with Vela – Venezia Unica as Sponsor.