Venice Biennale 2026 International Jury Resigns, Competition Criteria changes
The international jury for the 61st Venice Biennale has resigned ahead of the exhibition’s opening on 9 May

Padiglione-Centrale Giardini © La Biennale di Venezia. Courtesy: La Biennale di Venezia
The international jury for the 61st Venice Biennale has resigned ahead of the exhibition’s opening on 9 May.
‘As of 30 April 2026, we, the international jury selected by Koyo Kouoh, Artistic Director of the 61st edition of La Biennale di Venezia In Minor Keys, have resigned,’ says the jury in a statement published on e-flux. ‘We do so in acknowledgment of our Statement of Intention issued on 22 April 2026.’
The Statement of Intention mentioned refers to a call for ‘countries whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court’ to be excluded from Golden and Silver Lion awards competition, namely Russia and Israel.
Following the resignations, organisers announced that the awards ceremony has been postponed from 9 May to 22 November, the biennale’s closing day.
They also reversed the proposed restriction, confirming that all national pavilions will remain eligible, citing the event’s commitment to openness, dialogue and opposition to censorship.
Related content
Washington DC’s Kennedy Center Risks Fiscal Collapse
Hungarian Government Scraps New National Gallery
Qatar Museums to Build Dedicated Pavilion to Gerhard Richter
News

Washington DC’s Kennedy Center Risks Fiscal Collapse
Internal documents obtained by The Washington Post warn that the Kennedy Center faces “fiscal collapse” within weeks, after ticket sales and fundraising plunged amid upheaval following Donald Trump’s takeover

Hungarian Government Scraps New National Gallery
The Hungarian government's decision to cancel construction of the New National Gallery has ended a major European cultural initiative, raising questions over its future.
-1.jpg%3F2026-09-10T15%3A33%3A24.143Z&w=3840&q=100)
Qatar Museums to Build Dedicated Pavilion to Gerhard Richter
Qatar Museums will begin the creation of the Doha Pavilion, a new permanent structure to display the works of German artist Gerhard Richter.

Lucien Smith, Art-Market Star of the 2010s, Dies at 37
American artist Lucien Smith, who rose rapidly to prominence in the 2010s and became a fixture of New York’s downtown art scene, has died aged 37.

Japan Art Association Announces the 2026 Praemium Imperiale Prize Recipients
Jenny Holzer and Andy Goldsworthy are two of the five recipients of the 2026 Praemium Imperiale, the Japan Art Association’s prestigious international arts award.

Fundación Banco Santander Opens its Cultural Centre
The Faro Santander Museum opened its doors this week on the northern coast of Spain.

Geles Cabrera, Pioneering Mexican Sculptor, Dies Age 100
The sculptor Geles Cabrera, best known for being Mexico’s first professional female sculptor, has passed away age 100
_Teapot%2520and%2520Scrolls%2520(During%2520Trip%2520to%2520Mokpo)-1.jpg%3F2026-09-07T16%3A17%3A01.824Z&w=3840&q=100)
Gwangju Biennale Opens Without China’s Pavilion
Amidst a diplomatic storm over Taiwan, the Gwangju Biennale returns with a sprawling 16th edition of contemporary art

Toledo Museum to Return Five Objects to Ethiopia
A new 20-year partnership with Ethiopia’s heritage authority will investigate objects with incomplete provenance and establish a route for their return

Andy Burnham Fractures Hopes of Parthenon Marbles Restitution
The British Prime Minister has publicly cooled on his stance regarding the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece

Yayoi Kusama, Iconic Painter of Polka Dots, Dies at 97
The artist developed a body of work recognisable for its obsession with repetition

Gwangju Biennale Reinstates Taiwan Pavilion
Following accusations of censorship, the participation of Taiwanese artists will now be named the Taiwan Pavilion rather than the ‘NTMoFA Pavilion’
