The prestigious Venice Biennale has announced its jury for the 2026 edition, with Solange Oliveira Farkas taking the helm as president. Joining her on the five-member panel are Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi.
Farkas, a prominent figure in the art world, established the Videobrasil Biennial in São Paulo in 1983 and directed it until 2004. She currently leads the Associação Cultural Videobrasil, which supports the biennial. Her extensive experience includes serving as the director and chief curator of the Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia from 2007 to 2010 and organizing exhibitions for renowned artists such as Isaac Julien and Joseph Beuys.
Elvira Dyangani Ose, a former director of MACBA in Barcelona, brings a wealth of curatorial experience, having previously held significant roles at Creative Time in New York and Tate Modern. She is currently co-curating the exhibition "Project a Black Planet - The Art and Culture of Panafrica" at MACBA.
Marta Kuzma, a professor at the Yale School of Art and former dean, has curated pavilions for Norway at the Venice Biennale and has been involved in various notable exhibitions, including Documenta 13. Her recent work includes curating "Faktura 10," which focuses on artistic practices during wartime.
Zoe Butt, an independent curator and founder of the in-tangible institute, focuses on Southeast Asian art, while Giovanna Zapperi serves as a full professor of contemporary art history at the University of Geneva and has co-curated significant exhibitions on feminist video collectives.
Each edition of the Venice Biennale awards two Golden Lions: one for the best national pavilion and another for the best participant in the main exhibition, along with a Silver Lion for a promising young artist. The jury also has the option to award special mentions.
This upcoming Biennale will be particularly poignant, as it is being organized in the wake of the passing of Koyo Kouoh, the curator for 2026, who died in May 2025. The Biennale's board of directors, led by Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, has appointed the jury in her absence.
The Venice Biennale continues to be a significant platform for global artistic expression, showcasing diverse voices and innovative works. As the art community eagerly anticipates the 2026 edition, the influence of this jury may shape the future of contemporary art, fostering dialogue and collaboration across cultures.