The Venice Biennale is an international cultural exhibition that happens every two years in Venice, Italy. The show was first hosted in 1895, making it the oldest cultural exhibition in the world. The main exhibition is held in the grand halls of Castello, in Arsenale and Biennale Gardens, and later changes between the realms of art and architecture, hence the title “biennale,” meaning its biennial rotation.

Celebrating its 130th anniversary this year, the Venice Art Biennale, stands as the prestigious global arts festival, earning the name “Olympics of the art world.” This year the exhibition features participation from 90 countries worldwide, each presenting their art within their national pavilions.

Throughout the opening week, the Biennale attracts over 25,000 journalists, cultural experts, writers, artists, and curators, who are joined by government officials, politicians, and diplomats as representatives of national delegations. The cultural exhibition is expected to host 800,000 attendees, and this year’s event can draw an even larger crowd.

The Executive Director of the National Cultural Commission, Mr Steven Kilanda was among the national delegations who visited Italy to attend the VIP opening of the Venice Art Biennial.

Mr. Kilanda’s visit marked an important step for PNG’s potential participation in the 2026 Biennale. Representing the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, he emphasized PNG’s dedication to presenting its vibrant traditional and contemporary art and culture globally.

Mr Kilanda said, “The Venice Art Biennale offers a unique opportunity for Papua New Guinea to demonstrate the nation’s rich cultural diversity, arts legacy, and contemporary creative talents and to show its place in the world and to engage with other nations and cultures. With this strong interest, it is expected that PNG’s participation will be supported by international sponsors.”

Mr. Kilanda was introduced to a wide range of influential figures, official cultural delegations, artists, and curators from different countries.

He said,” The reception was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone expressing excitement and enthusiasm at the prospect of a future PNG Pavilion. Given this enthusiastic interest, it is anticipated that Papua New Guinea’s involvement will receive support from international sponsors.”

NCC is proud to report the overwhelming encouragement of the Venice Biennale art community who have expressed the vital importance of PNG National Pavilion’s presence on this global platform.

Skinder Hundal MBE, Global Artist Director/Commissioner British Pavillion said, “I believe PNG’s debut will be a significant addition to the Biennale, bringing new perspectives and diversity to this prestigious event. PNG’s participation will enrich the Biennale by introducing the world to the country’s vibrant artistic traditions and emerging contemporary artists and the contexts of Oceania which need to be heard and seen more in the future world we seek.”

Participation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the Venice Biennale art exhibition offers a significant opportunity to showcase and promote its rich cultural heritage. It is also the organization’s policy to promote and market PNG’s arts and culture to a wider range of audience.

Papua New Guinea will have a remarkable chance to spotlight its rich cultural heritage on an international scale. This prestigious event serves as a dynamic platform for PNG artists to share their traditions, stories, and contemporary perspectives with a diverse global audience. By engaging with the vibrant atmosphere of the Biennale, Papua New Guinea can increase its cultural presence and foster meaningful connections with the global art community.