Two exhibitions, alternating years
The Venice Biennale alternates between art, in even years, and architecture, in odd years. Each edition runs for about six months, from May to November, and is preceded by a few pre-opening days for the press and professionals, when most of the people who matter are in the city at the same time.
- Biennale Arte 2026 runs from 9 May to 22 November 2026.
- Biennale Architettura 2027 runs from 8 May to 21 November 2027, with pre-opening days on 6 and 7 May. It is curated by Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu, and its title is Do Architecture: The possibility of coexistence in real reality.
For anyone thinking of taking part in 2027, the work starts now.
The three ways to take part
There are three routes, and they are often confused.
| National participation | Collateral event | Independent exhibition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | A country, through its government | A non-profit institution | Anyone: a gallery, a brand, a foundation |
| Approval | Invited by La Biennale, through official channels | Selected by the curator, through an open call | None from La Biennale |
| Where | Giardini, Arsenale or a venue in the city | A venue in the city | A venue in the city |
| In the official programme | Yes | Yes, with the Biennale logo | No |
| Typical lead time | 12–18 months | 12–18 months | 6–12 months |
National participations
Countries take part through their governments, usually the ministry of culture or foreign affairs, which appoints a commissioner. Some 30 countries own a permanent pavilion in the Giardini. Others rent space in the Arsenale, and many more take a palazzo or another venue elsewhere in the city. A country without a permanent pavilion has to find, rent and fit out a space every edition, which is where most of the practical work lies.
Collateral events
Collateral events are exhibitions promoted by non-profit national or international institutions and approved by the curator of the edition. They are listed in the official programme and can use the Biennale’s name, in return for a participation fee. Applications go through an open call: for the 2026 Art edition the deadline was 19 September 2025, and the procedure for the 2027 Architecture edition has been published on La Biennale’s site. A complete application normally includes the project, the curator, the venue already secured, and proof of funding, so the venue has to be found before applying.
Independent exhibitions
During the opening weeks, dozens of exhibitions open across the city with no formal link to the Biennale: gallery shows, brand installations, foundations’ programmes and private views. They are not in the official programme and cannot use its name, but they reach the same audience. For a company, this is usually the realistic route.
- 18–12 months beforeChoose the routeNational pavilion, collateral event or independent show. Line up the commissioner or promoting institution and the budget.
- 12–9 monthsSecure the venueVisit and shortlist spaces, check listing, floor loads and access by water, and hold the space with a deposit.
- 9–7 monthsApplyCollateral events apply to La Biennale through its open call. For the 2026 Art edition the deadline was 19 September 2025.
- 6–3 monthsProduce and permitDesign, permits, insurance, transport booked, customs papers for works from outside the EU, staff for the six months.
- Last 4 weeksInstallWorks arrive by boat, installation, safety checks and the final walk-through.
- Opening weekPre-opening daysPress and professional days, dinners, guest boats and meetings.
- Six monthsOpen to the publicInvigilation, maintenance and regular reporting to the organisers.
- After closingDe-installReturn shipping and the venue handed back as it was found.
Indicative. Every edition publishes its own calls and deadlines.
Finding a venue
Venues are the scarcest resource. The good ones are booked one and sometimes two editions ahead, and many owners rent to the same tenants every time. Typical spaces include rooms on the ground or first floor of palazzi, former warehouses (magazzini), courtyards and gardens, rooms in the scuole grandi, deconsecrated churches and spaces on the islands.
What to check before committing:
- Listing. Most buildings in Venice are protected. Fixing anything to walls, ceilings or floors may need permission from the heritage authority (Soprintendenza), and often it is simply not allowed. Plan free-standing structures.
- Floor loads. Old wooden floors take far less weight than people expect. Ask for a structural opinion for heavy works or large audiences.
- Access by water. Everything arrives by boat. Check the width of the water gate or the nearest landing, the height of bridges on the route, and how far pieces must be carried by hand.
- High water. Ground floors can flood, mostly from October to January. Most exhibitions run in the dry months, but installation and de-installation may not.
- Safety and capacity. Exits, fire safety and the maximum number of people allowed, especially for opening parties.
- Services. Power available, toilets, a space for storage, Wi-Fi, and whether you can serve food and drink.
- The contract. Dates including set-up and take-down, what is included, deposit, insurance, and how the space must be returned.
Logistics, permits and people
- Transport. Specialised fine-art shippers in Venice move works by barge and by hand. Book them early for the weeks before opening, when every exhibition needs them at once.
- Customs. Works coming from outside the EU usually travel under temporary admission, often with an ATA carnet, and must leave again within the permitted time.
- Insurance. Nail-to-nail cover, from the studio to the venue and back.
- Permits. Signs, flags or anything placed on public ground need city permits; events open to the public may need others.
- Staff. Someone has to open, watch and close the space every day for six months, and report any damage. This is often underestimated in the budget.
- Accommodation. Hotel prices around the pre-opening days rise sharply. Book the team’s rooms when you book the venue.
A note on budget
Costs vary too much for a single figure. The main items are: venue rental for the full period plus set-up and take-down, the participation fee for collateral events, design and production, transport and insurance, staffing for six months, communication and the opening events. The venue and the staff are usually the two largest lines.
Where a local representative helps
From abroad, the hardest parts are finding a venue that is actually free, judging it properly, and holding everything together over eighteen months. A representative in Venice can search and visit venues for you, check listing, access and loads with the right technician, negotiate and follow the contract, coordinate shippers, builders and staff, and be present on site during installation and through the six months, with a short report after each step.
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