The listed biennials are part of the IBA network through membership. For more information about any of these biennials, please visit their respected websites.
As a benefit of being a member of the IBA, admission to member biennials that are part of the Free Admission Program is free to those holding valid IBA Membership Cards.
Biennials that are part of the Free Admission Program have been marked with *
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Contact
triennale@pref.aichi.lg.jpWebsite
http://aichitriennale.jpEstablished: 2008
The Aichi Triennale, which has been presented once every three years since 2010, is one of Japan’s premier international art festivals. Featuring a diverse range of Japanese and international artists, the festival is held at a variety of venues, including the Aichi Arts Center, in cities throughout Aichi Prefecture. With a focus on contemporary art, the festival transcends genre boundaries in the performing arts, learning programs, and other fields, conveying the spirit of artistic diversity from the Aichi region.
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Contact
info@artocene.frWebsite
https://www.artocene.fr
On the iconic site of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Artocène brings together architecture and contemporary art to create a dialogue with the alpine landscape, symbol of a fragile and moving nature.
The festival takes the form of an exhibition itinerary through the city. The exhibitions are an opportunity to discover works by international artists, established or emerging, as well as ephemeral architectures. The theme is approached through a ‘contemporary art’ angle and through an ‘architecture’ angle, the two being sometimes juxtaposed.
Etymologically Artocène would refer to ‘the age of art’. It intends to offer a counterpoint to the term ‘Anthropocene’, defining the new geological era in which we have entered, caused by human activity. The festival aims to show how art and culture can make our contemporaries aware of the environmental issues that we encounter, but also suggest alternatives. The term Artocène also alludes to the idea of sharing around art – cène meaning supper, in order to connect with local, regional and international communities.
Artocène runs every summer since 2021. More information on www.artocene.fr
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Contact
info@ballaratfoto.orgWebsite
ballaratfoto.org
Established: 2005
The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is Australia’s most significant and prestigious photographic festival. The not-for-profit event is held in the Australia every two years in the historic town of Ballarat, immersing the city in photographic art across its galleries, laneways and cultural spaces. Now in its second decade, the 60-day event attracts incredible international and Australian photographers, enriching the cultural landscape of regional Australia.
Ballarat International Foto Biennale opens the conversation about photography as an art form to a wider audience, championing the work of local, national, and international photographers, also offering masterclasses, competitions, community programs, interactive exhibitions, and more.
The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is currently developing a permanent photography institution. The National Centre for Photography will be located in a beautiful heritage-listed former bank building in the heart of Ballarat.
The Ballarat International Foto Biennale respectfully acknowledge the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people. Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work.
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Contact
info@beijingarttechnologybiennale.com
press@beijingarttechnologybiennale.comWebsite
www.beijingarttechnologybiennale.com
Beijing Art and Technology Biennale (BATB) is the world’s first biennial dedicated to the intersection of art, science and technology, which aims to be an international platform for a broad range of practitioners from the fields of art, science and technology, and to support new artistic engagements and interventions in the context of advanced technologies, such as emerging biotechnologies, life sciences, etc. BATB manifests through exhibitions, commissions, public programmes, publications, and symposiums, as well as structural and systemic initiatives, bringing together practitioners from the fields of art, science, and climatology, among many others.
Since its inception, BATB has become one of the most thought-provoking art events, and played an indispensable role in China’s engagement with the world. Directed by curator Naiyi Wang, each edition brings together the most influential artists, scientists, theorists, curators, activists, technologists, developers and entrepreneurs from all over the world. It is founded with the mission of exploring new ideas in art, science and technology. Through interdisciplinary connections, BATB aims to address the central questions of our future, and create long-lasting effects on our society.
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Contact
post@bergenassembly.noWebsite
http://bergenassembly.no -
Contact
office@berlinbiennale.deWebsite
www.berlinbiennale.de
Since its founding in 1996, the Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art has become one of the most important international forums for contemporary art. Each edition brings together the most influential current positions of artists, theorists, and practitioners from a variety of fields in one of the most culturally progressive cities in Europe. The Berlin Biennale takes place every two years at varying locations in Berlin and is defined by the differing concepts of its renowned curators. It promotes experimental formats and provides the appointed curators the space and freedom to present the latest relevant and challenging positions independent of the art market and collection interests.
The Berlin Biennale is organized by KUNST-WERKE BERLIN e. V. Since 2004, it has been funded by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation) as one of its “cultural institutions of excellence,” recognizing its nation-wide importance and international reputation and thus awarding it a top-quality designation in the field of public funding.
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Contact
director@bng.bmWebsite
bng.bmBiennial Website
2024 Bermuda Biennial – Bermuda National Gallery
Established: 1994
The Bermuda Biennial is a critical platform for Bermuda’s contemporary art community. Organised by the Bermuda National Gallery since 1994, and sponsored by Bacardi Limited, the exhibition showcases the dynamism of local artists as well as international artists living on the island, and serves as a platform for programmes on art, culture and dialogue.
As a member of the International Biennial Association, BNG is proud to host an exhibition representing the excellence of local contemporary art, providing Bermudian artists the opportunity to engage in an internationally juried process overseen by established international curators.
The 2024 Bermuda Biennial Places, Presence and Poetics is juried by Ebony G Patterson and Helen Toomer. The exhibition, which brings together new works by 25 contemporary Bermudian artists, opens to the public on Saturday, April 13 2024 and runs through to January 2025.
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Contact
lucrecia.barrientos@fundacionpaiz.org.gtWebsite
http://fundacionpaiz.org.gt -
Contact
art@biennaleofsydney.com.auWebsite
http://www.biennaleofsydney.art
Established: 1973
The Biennale of Sydney acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country, in particular the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation on whose land the Biennale of Sydney is located, recognising their continuing connection to land, waters and culture paying respect to Elders, past, present and emerging.
The Biennale of Sydney is a leading international contemporary art event. It plays an indispensable role in Australia’s engagement with the world, and a meaningful role in the life of the nation. For almost 50 years, the Biennale has been a unifying force in the Australian arts sector, embedding bold, contemporary art exhibitions and experiences in the everyday life of Sydney and putting the artistic excellence of Australia front and centre on the world stage.
Since 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has commissioned more new work than any museum or gallery in Australia and developed the careers of 1900 artists from all around the world, including 405 Australians.
We create a safe place for people to think about and talk about issues that matter: issues that affect us on an individual and community level and have a global context, resonating in Sydney, its surrounds, Australia, Asia-Pacific, and the world.
The Biennale of Sydney brings people together through our commitment to activating iconic Sydney destinations and attractions and unique precincts and places, and encourages them to freely exchange ideas and to think and be challenged by their experience.
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Contact
bienaldelahabana@gmail.comWebsite
www.wlam.cult.cu
The Bienal de La Habana is a contemporary art event held in Havana, Cuba, since 1984, organized by the curatorial team of the Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art Center. Conceived since its origin as a horizontal platform for the promotion of the visual arts of the Non-Aligned countries and the Global South. For 40 years it has established itself as a space for dialogue and deliberation of singular importance in the international art scene.
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Contact
info@culturescapes.chWebsite
https://culturescapes.ch/en
CULTURESCAPES is a cross-disciplinary cultural festival based in Basel, dedicated to intercultural dialogue and promoting encounters between different people and cultures. Our mission is to engage as a platform for a more inclusive, pluricultural, open and responsible society.
Focusing on one new cultural landscape (“culture/scape”) at a time, our festival aims to explore different cultural and social experiences. The multidisciplinary festival includes performing and visual arts, film and literature, university lectures, public debates and an extensive online programme in the CULTURESCAPES Digital Space. The programme is developed in cooperation with a wide variety of cultural institutions and organisations throughout Switzerland.
The next festival edition “CULTURESCAPES 2023 Sahara” will take place in autumn 2023 and focuses on the Sahara/Sahel region. Together with artists and curators from within and around Sahara and Sahel, CULTURESCAPES wants to talk about Sahara/Sahel today. We will look at the moving borders of the desert and the postcolonial borders of the African countries, question resilience as a key feature of political and socio-environmental reality in Africa, and imagine the possible futures as seen from the vastness of Sahara affected by climate change.
Past editions focused on Georgia (2003), Israel (2011), the Balkans (2013), Tokyo (2014), Iceland (2015), Greece (2017), and Poland (2019), among others. The festival edition CULTURESCAPES Amazonia in 2021 marked the beginning of a new festival series focusing on regions of global significance: the Sahara in 2023, the Himalayas in 2025, and the world’s oceans in 2027.
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Contact
info@eva.ie
Website
www.eva.ie
Established: 1977
Biennial Format Since 2012EVA International is Ireland’s Biennial of Contemporary Art. Originally founded by Limerick-based artists in 1977, it remains one of the longest running visual arts organisations in Ireland, with a history of working with some of the world’s most influential curators.
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Contact
info@frontart.orgWebsite
http://frontart.org -
Contact
leahgordon@aol.comWebsite
http://ghettobiennale.org -
Contact
biennale@gwangjubiennale.orgWebsite
http://www.gwangjubiennale.org -
Contact
aloha@hawaiicontemporary.orgWebsite
hawaiicontemporary.org
Inspired by the unique histories of Hawai‘i, a gathering place for diverse people and ideas, Hawai‘i Contemporary connects communities across our islands, and regions united by the Pacific Ocean and beyond. As a collaborative art partner, we cultivate cultural alliances to showcase Hawai‘i Triennial every three years and celebrate contemporary art and ideas. The multi-site public exhibition is complemented by an Art Summit (once every three years), and year-round public and education programs contributing to the local arts ecosystem and affirming our commitment to making contemporary art accessible in Hawai‘i.
Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization in 2015, Honolulu Biennial Foundation debuted the inaugural Honolulu Biennial in 2017 as a dedicated contemporary art platform in Hawai‘i. The internationally recognized biennials presented in 2017 and 2019, each welcomed some 100,000 guests from Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and beyond. In 2020, the organization announced the transformation of its signature event into a triennial format and was renamed Hawai‘i Contemporary.
We are currently working toward our fourth iteration, Hawaiʻi Triennial 2025 (HT25). The state’s largest, thematic exhibition of contemporary art from Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and beyond our shores, will be on view for 78 days across collaborating sites of exhibition on O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island. Curated by Wassan Al-Khudhairi, Binna Choi, and Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu, HT25 will welcome 49 artists and art collectives, and be on view 15 February – 4 May, 2025.
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Contact
helsinkibiennial@hamhelsinki.fiWebsite
https://helsinkibiennaali.fi -
Contact
ist.biennial@iksv.orgWebsite
http://bienal.iksv.org
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) has been organising the Istanbul Biennial since 1987. The biennial aims to create a meeting point in Istanbul, in the field of visual arts between artists from diverse cultures and the audience. The seventeen biennials İKSV has organised up to now have enabled the formation of an international cultural network between local and international art circles, artists, curators and art critics by bringing together new trends in contemporary art every two years.
Considered one of the most thought-provoking art events, the Istanbul Biennial embraces an exhibition model which encourages a dialogue between artists and the audience through the work of the artists instead of a national representation model. The curator, appointed by consulting to an international advisory board, develops a conceptual framework according to which a variety of artists and projects are invited to the exhibition.
The largest international art exhibition organised in the region, Istanbul Biennial plays a critical role in the continuation of a conversation between the local and international scene. Istanbul Biennial promotes knowledge and artistic production through the exhibition and alternative learning programmes and generates tangible and intangible spaces that bring together a wide range of visitors.
The opportunity to follow developments and discussions in the art world, and therefore a complimentary public programme is provided both for students and viewers of art through the exhibitions and simultaneously translated panel discussions, conferences and workshops organised within the scope of the exhibitions.
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Contact
info@karachibiennale.org.pkWebsite
http://karachibiennale.org.pk -
Contact
info@lbf.org.pkWebsite
http://www.lahorebiennale.org -
Contact
info@biennial.comWebsite
https://www.biennial.com
Liverpool Biennial established in 1998 is the UK’s largest free contemporary visual arts festival and the country’s first Biennial. Every two years the festival brings together international artists, arts professionals, communities and audiences to experience exhibitions across the city, alongside a hybrid programme of talks, performances and events, providing an opportunity for Liverpool and the UK to connect with the world, reflecting new ways of thinking. Liverpool Biennial aims to create long-lasting impact through the economic investment it brings to the city, through support for artistic, peer and young people’s professional development, through community and school programmes and through its contribution to placemaking in the city and wider region.
Permanent public artworks commissioned by Liverpool Biennial include Liverpool Mountain by Ugo Rondinone (2018), Evertro by Koo Jeong A x Wheelscape (2015) and Everybody Razzle Dazzle by Sir Peter Blake (2015).
Liverpool Biennial is supported by Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council and founding supporter James Moores.
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Contact
post@nnks.no
liaf@nnks.noWebsite
www.nnks.no/en/concept/sparks
Established: 1991
Lofoten International Art Festival – LIAF is the longest-running art biennial in Scandinavia with a history spanning over 30 years. LIAF began with a regional and national focus and gradually developed into the international biennial it is today. Since 2009, LIAF has been under the auspices of the North Norwegian Art Centre. It has an Artistic Advisory Board with six members.
Today, LIAF presents works with local, regional, and international artists in a location-conscious context. LIAF does not have a set venue but takes place at different locations in Lofoten each time, thus exploring Lofoten’s local surroundings. LIAF has been held in a park, a garage, a library, a shed, a bunker, a fishing hut, a private house, a shop, and an old warehouse, just to name a few of its different venues.
LIAF seeks to function as an open, experimental, and accessible festival for artists, audiences of all ages, and collaborators. By insisting on an open and experimental approach, LIAF’s goal is to make space for exchange and engagement, each time revealing new things about our world and ourselves.
Lofoten International Art Festival – LIAF has been curated by Tor Inge Kveum, Per Gunnar Tverbakk, Vibeke Sjøvoll, Gry Ulrichsen, Göran Christenson, Maaretta Jaukkuri, Taru Elfving, Richard Borgström, Helga-Marie Nordby, Thora Dolven Balke, Linn Pedersen, Anne Szefer Karlsen, Bassam El Baroni, Eva González-Sancho, Matt Packer, Arne Skaug Olsen, Heidi Ballet, Milena Høgsberg, Neal Cahoon, Hilde Methi, Torill Østby Haaland and Karolin Tampere, and Francesco Urbano Ragazzi.
This year’s biennale, LIAF 2024, which is the 18th edition, is curated by Kjersti Solbakken.
The Lofoten International Art Festival – LIAF is organized by the North Norwegian Art Centre in collaboration with LIAF Artistic Advisory Board. The members of the Artistic Advisory Board are glass artist Sigrid Høyforsslett Bjørbæk (chair), associate professor of art history Hanne Hammer Stien (vice-chair), director of North Norwegian Art Centre Marianne Hultman, director of Sør-Troms Museum Sabrina van der Ley, artist Kjetil Berge, and ceramicist and entrepreneur Halvor Skiftun Digernes.
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Contact
info@manifdart.orgWebsite
https://manifdart.org
Established: 2014
Manif d’art is a not-for-profit organization and a recognized charitable organization. Its mission is to promote contemporary art by local, national, and international artists, a mission it fulfills by providing unconventional platforms for creation and exhibition. Manif d’art brings together artists at varying stages of their careers to take advantage of these innovative opportunities, and in so doing offers them a rare degree of artistic freedom and exposure through activities created and managed exclusively by the organization. These include Manif d’art – The Quebec City Biennial, exhibits of their work abroad, the Première Ovation visual arts, media arts, and applied arts program, and the Videre Awards in visual arts.
A staple of the Canadian art scene, Manif d’art — The Quebec City Biennial is the only winter biennial in North America. The event presents the work of over 60 local, national and international artists. Besides its many exhibitions, the event offers a plethora of activities based on its global theme renewed for every iteration. Since its first edition in the Fall of 2000, more than 50 cultural organizations have contributed in making this international festival a must. Year after year, Manif d’art’s program delights neophytes as well as visual art specialists.
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Contact
info@munchmuseet.noWebsite
munchmuseet.no
MUNCH is among Northern Europe’s most visited museums, and holds the largest collection of world-renowned Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (1863–1944). MUNCH opened on Oslo’s waterfront in October 2021. The distinctive museum building was designed by Estudio Herreros, and houses several galleries and performance spaces over 13 floors.
Contemporary art is one of the three pillars of the exhibitions programme at MUNCH, in addition to Edvard Munch’s oeuvre and modern art.
The MUNCH Triennale is part of the museum’s commitment to contemporary art. Its emphasis is on the relationship between art and new technologies. The first edition was held in 2022 and was entitled The Machine is Us.
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Contact
contact@rencontres-bamako.netWebsite
http://www.rencontres-bamako.org -
Contact
hello@rigabiennial.comWebsite
http://www.rigabiennial.com -
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info@rpbiennial.comWebsite
http://www.rpbiennial.com -
Contact
vinculacion@proyectosaco.clWebsite
https://bienalsaco.com
Established: 2012
SACO is an international biennial of contemporary art based in Antofagasta, a region in north of Chile. It’s goal is to transform the Atacama Desert into a focus of interest for the field of art and transdisciplinary research, with priority in establishing horizontal meeting points to generate the circulation between art and the community, promoting the transfer of knowledge, interculturalism and exchange of ideas, designing models of social transformation through art with concrete actions.
The project has a program highly related to its territory, and promotes the development of art in a circular economy format, where the works of art, after the biennial, are reused, recycled or donated to non-profit institutions. SACO’s actions are developed on three fundamental pillars: “museum without museum”, temporarily occupying public and private infrastructures, open and closed, connected in a circuit of exhibition spaces of contemporary art. “School without school”, a broad program of non-formal art education prioritizing children and young people. And Territory, which includes artistic residencies and transdisciplinary research in the north of Chile.
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Contact
info@serendipityarts.orgWebsite
http://serendipityarts.org -
Contact
info@thailandbiennale.orgWebsite
http://thailandbiennale.org -
Contact
info@torontobiennial.orgWebsite
http://torontobiennial.org -
Contact
info@triennalebrugge.beWebsite
triennalebrugge.be
Bruges Triennial brings contemporary art and architecture to the unique UNESCO world heritage surroundings of the City of Bruges. Every three years, an artistic team invites (inter) national artists and architects to develop a new, site-specific installation for the city. For five months they occupy the historical city centre with their contemporary creations. They offer an artistic response to a theme that is linked to the future challenges of Bruges and cities worldwide.
We continue to build – from 1968 to the present day. Since 2015, Bruges Triennial has been building on the series of triennials around visual arts that were organised in 1968, 1971 and 1974. Whilst the focus lay on contemporary Belgian art and a more museum-centric context in these early editions, when the concept was revived in 2015 the decision was made to add architecture to the programme as a second pillar. Moreover, the event is no longer staged indoors, but in the public space. This has proven to be a successful formula.
The first edition, at the time known as Triennial for Plastic Art in Belgium, took place in the illustrious year 1968 in the Bruges City Halls and featured 86 artists including Marcel Broodthaers, Jef Geys, Panamarenko and Roger Raveel. Two editions followed in 1971 and 1974. In 2015 – 41 years later – City of Bruges picks up where it left off and stages the surprising Bruges as Megapolis. With this theme, the curators depict the imaginary transformation of Bruges into a global city, in which its five million annual visitors didn’t leave but became residents instead.
In 2018, with the theme Liquid City | Vloeibare Stad, the focus was on the uncertain aspects of contemporary society. How flexible, fluid and resilient can a historical city like Bruges be in a time in which nothing seems certain anymore? Installations in and around the water enrapture people in unexpected places.
In 2021, with TraumA, the curators shifted the focus from the public space to the hidden dimensions of Bruges and its residents. A polyphonous tale in which ambiguity came into the picture, and the demarcation between public and private space was negotiated afresh.
In 2024, we will illuminate the city from a new angle and create with Spaces of Possibility space for ideas and possibilities for the future of Bruges and cities worldwide.
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Contact
uralbiennial@ncca.ruWebsite
http://uralbiennale.bm.digital -
Contact
info@vancouverbiennale.comWebsite
http://www.vancouverbiennale.com -
Contact
biennale.gherdeina@gmail.comWebsite
biennalegherdeina.it
Established: 2008
Biennale Gherdëina was founded by Doris Ghetta in 2008 as a MANIFESTA 7 fringe event. Drawing inspiration from the spirit and intent of MANIFESTA 7 to raise the profile of Alto Adige/South Tyrol as a region brimming with contemporary culture. Over the years, Biennale Gherdëina has grown exponentially, acquiring international resonance and affirming itself as a biennial contemporary art event in the public space.
Through the production, diffusion and communication of works created specifically in relation to the region’s space and culture, Biennale Gherdëina stimulates reflection and raises public awareness by highlighting the richness of the landscape and the culture of the local area.
Close cooperation between our region’s artisans, sculptors, professionals and international bodies in the sector offers a unique opportunity for research and development, as well as raising awareness of the area’s boundless treasures. Biennale Gherdëina provides an opportunity for social development and education in the name of art through a series of fringe events, such as talks by artists and conferences, plus related publications.
The importance of public art – culture is us.
The artists of Biennale Gherdëina not only enjoy the aesthetic quality and benefits of exhibiting in public places. By working directly with local designers, artisans, architects and personalities, they also contribute to the development of the identity of a region that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Each artist inevitably projects their own personality on ideas, sites and social constructions and thus, through art, supports alternative perspectives to reawaken and, at the same time, challenge the community’s assumptions, beliefs and values.
