Historic Shake-Up at the Venice Biennale as Visitors Take Control of the Prestigious Awards
The 61st edition of the Venice Biennale 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the most controversial in the history of the event. Just days before the official opening of the major contemporary art exhibition in Venice, the situation inside the Biennale has escalated dramatically: the international jury has resigned entirely, and for the first time ever, the prestigious Golden Lions will be awarded directly by visitors.
A sensational decision that has shaken the international art world and raised important questions about the future of one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions.
Anna Longhi, seen from behind, mistaken for a work of art at the Venice Biennale in the episode “Le vacanze intelligenti”
(directed by Alberto Sordi) from the anthology film "Dove vai in vacanza?".
Venice Biennale 2026: a crisis that had been building for months
Over recent months, the Venice Biennale has been marked by increasing political and cultural tensions. At the center of the debate are the national participations of Russia and Israel, whose presence in the exhibition has sparked criticism, protests, and diplomatic controversy.
The clash between Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli and Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco further intensified the situation. On one side were those defending the Biennale as a place of dialogue and cultural openness; on the other, those calling for a stronger political stance regarding current international conflicts.
At the same time, several European institutions and figures from the contemporary art world openly questioned the management of the exhibition.
The resignation of the international jury
The turning point came when the international jury of the Venice Biennale 2026 — chaired by Solange Oliveira Farkas and composed of Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi — publicly announced that they would not consider for awards any countries whose governments are accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.
As a result, Russia and Israel were effectively excluded from the competition for the Golden Lions. The decision immediately created a major contradiction within the Biennale itself: while the institution had officially confirmed the participation of both countries in the exhibition, the jury chose to exclude them from the awards.
Following discussions with the Biennale Foundation, the jurors collectively resigned, triggering one of the most serious institutional crises in the recent history of the Venice Biennale.
Art, politics, and freedom of expression
The situation once again highlights the increasingly complex relationship between art and politics. Historically, the Venice Biennale has represented an international platform for cultural exchange, but in recent years it has also become a space for political and ideological confrontation.
The Venice Biennale 2026 demonstrates how difficult it has become to separate contemporary art from geopolitical tensions. The jury’s statements, the institutional reactions, and the broader international context have transformed the exhibition into a global media case.
The Biennale Foundation reaffirmed its intention to preserve the event as an open platform for all officially invited participants, emphasizing principles such as inclusion, dialogue, and artistic freedom.
Padiglione Centrale Giardini. Photo by Francesco Galli.
Courtesy of la Biennale di Venezia
Golden Lions to be decided by visitors
With the resignation of the jury, the Biennale suddenly found itself without the body traditionally responsible for awarding the prizes. In response, the Foundation introduced a completely new system: the “Visitors’ Lions.”
For the first time, visitors themselves will vote for the Best Artist of the International Exhibition and the Best National Participation.
To vote, visitors will need to attend both main exhibition venues of the Venice Biennale. The ticketing system will track attendance automatically, and each visitor will be allowed to cast only one vote per category.
The awards ceremony has been rescheduled for November 22, 2026, the final day of the exhibition, creating a format that feels closer to a large public event than to the traditional institutional awards of the contemporary art world.
A Biennale destined to make history
Regardless of differing opinions, this edition of the Venice Biennale is already destined to leave a lasting mark on the international contemporary art scene.
Between diplomatic tensions, resignations, political controversy, and unprecedented public participation, the Venice Biennale 2026 reflects many of the complexities of our time: a place where art, politics, culture, and society increasingly overlap.
Whether celebrated or criticized, Venice once again confirms itself as one of the world’s central stages for cultural debate and contemporary art.
*All images on this blog are used for educational and critical purposes only. Credits and copyrights belong to their respective owners and authors. The gallery remains at the disposal of the rightsholders for any corrections, specific citations, or immediate removals upon request.
