IBA 11th General Assembly: Panel 2 Inclusivity and Diversity: How to Broaden the Role of Society in All Its Complexity?

IBA 11th General Assembly Public Program
Continuing our series for Mending the Shores: Transforming Biennials for a Sustainable Future, the public conference of the 11th General Assembly of the International Biennial Association, we are excited to introduce our second panel:

Inclusivity and Diversity: How to Broaden the Role of Society in All Its Complexity?

In the context of a General Assembly aimed at reimagining sustainable practices within biennials, this panel will address the crucial need for inclusivity and diversity in cultural spaces. As we discuss sustainable models for biennials, it is imperative to consider how these can serve as platforms that embrace a broad spectrum of voices and narratives. This conversation will focus on fostering cultural inclusion of art production, ensuring broad access to exhibitions and programs, and ultimately expanding the dialogue surrounding contemporary societal issues.

We are pleased to announce three great speakers who will share their insights and expertise:

Alexia Fabre
Alexia Fabre has been the Director of Beaux-Arts de Paris since 2022, bringing a wealth of experience in cultural curation and heritage. She is the curator of “Les voix des fleuves, Crossing the water”, the 17th Lyon Biennale. Previously, she served as the Director of MAC VAL – Musée d’art contemporain du Val de Marne from 2005 to 2022, where she was instrumental in shaping its scientific and cultural projects. Her extensive curatorial practice includes co-curating the exhibition “The Moon” (La Lune, du voyage réel aux voyages imaginaires) at the Grand Palais in 2019 and guest curating at the Manif d’Art – Quebec City Biennial in 2017. Alexia’s career began as the head of the Hautes-Alpes department museum in Gap from 1993 to 1998, and she has played a pivotal role in cultural programming in various capacities, including co-directing the Nuit Blanche in Paris.

Dr. Kate Brehme
Dr. Kate Brehme is an independent curator and arts educator based in Berlin, recognized for her advocacy for inclusivity in the arts. With a background in both artistic practice and museum studies, she completed her doctorate at the Center for Metropolitan Studies at Berlin’s Technical University, where her dissertation focused on the relationship between contemporary art biennials and urban space. Kate has worked on a variety of independent projects across Australia, Scotland, and Germany, contributing to exhibitions and educational programs. In 2017, she co-founded Berlinklusion, a collective of artists and arts mediators with and without disabilities. This collective aims to create inclusive arts projects and provide communities and arts organizations with advice on access, fostering engagement and participation in the arts.

Dr. Samantha Lackey
Dr. Samantha Lackey has been the Director of Liverpool Biennial since late 2021, leading the organization in presenting contemporary art within the vibrant cultural landscape of Liverpool. Prior to this role, she was Head of Collection and Exhibitions at the Whitworth at the University of Manchester, where she contributed to the gallery’s acclaim following its opening in 2011. She has curated a range of exhibitions, including her first co-curated show at the Whitworth, “Subversive Spaces: Surrealism and Contemporary Art.” Sam has published extensively on surrealism and contemporary art, collaborating with notable artists such as Cecily Brown and Eva Rothschild. Her active involvement in the arts community is underscored by her position on the board of the International Biennial Association and as Chair of the Contemporary Visual Arts Network North West.

We aim at inspiring a meaningful reflection on how biennials can broaden their role in society, ensuring a richer and more diverse cultural landscape.

Don’t miss this panel and the continuation of our program, part of the 11th General Assembly, organized in partnership with La Biennale de Lyon.

For more information about the 17th Lyon Biennale, please visit their website: www.labiennaledelyon.com

Find details required to plan your visit, including a list of recommended hotels. You may also find practical information for getting around Lyon here.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@biennialassociation.org. We look forward to meeting you in Lyon!