NZ at Venice 2028 Artist and Curator

Creative New Zealand is seeking expressions of interest from established artist and curator teams to develop and deliver Aotearoa New Zealand's 12th official presentation at the 62nd International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2028 — one of the world's most significant platforms for contemporary art.

This is a two-stage process. Stage One is an Expression of Interest (EOI), open from 15 October 2026 and closing at 1:00 PM (NZ time) on 12 November 2026. Stage Two applications are due by 1:00 PM (NZ time) on 26 November 2026. EOIs will be reviewed as they are received, and eligible teams will be invited to Stage Two at the earliest opportunity.

Who can apply

Applications must identify both an artist and a curator. Teams may be artist-led, curator-led or jointly developed, and may include multiple artists or curators. International curators, collaborators or contributors may be included where their role is clearly explained.

To be eligible

• The proposed artist(s) must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents (based in Aotearoa or overseas)
• Both the artist and curator must be established practitioners with a sustained professional practice
• Both must have a demonstrated track record of presenting high-quality exhibitions, complex projects or commissions nationally and/or internationally
• Both must demonstrate the experience, capability and readiness to develop and deliver the presentation at Venice in 2028
• The team must be able to work collaboratively with Creative New Zealand, the delivery partner, cultural advisers and stakeholders

What's involved

The selected team will lead the artistic and curatorial development of the project — including its creative vision, conceptual framework, artworks, interpretation and publication — while working closely with Creative New Zealand and a separately appointed delivery partner who will lead operational planning and logistics.

Teams will also be expected to contribute to communications, public engagement, knowledge-sharing and evaluation. The venue for the New Zealand pavilion has not yet been confirmed. Detailed budgets will be developed with the selected team.

Aotearoa New Zealand's participation is guided by a mana framework:

• Mana tangata: relationships at the centre
• Mana ake: building a stronger sector for future generations
• Mana whenua: speaking to the world about Aotearoa
• Mana toi: celebrating current and contemporary art

Stage One – Expression of Interest

Your EOI must include

• Applicant details and declaration
• Details of the artist and curator team, including exhibition experience and previous collaborations (max 4,000 characters)
• Proposal describing the artistic vision and curatorial ambition (max 4,000 characters)

You do not need a full project team confirmed at EOI stage, and proposals do not need to respond to a set theme (the Biennale's 2028 artistic director has not yet been announced).

Stage Two – Application

Invited teams will be asked to provide further developed artistic and curatorial rationale, an expanded exhibition proposal with selected images or links, indicative budget and technical requirements, any known partnership support, and cultural or logistical considerations. Applicants may be asked to present at an online hui.

Creative New Zealand aims to confirm the selected team in January 2027. All applicants will be contacted before any public announcement.

AI tools may be used to help draft, research or refine applications, but applicants should review Creative New Zealand's guidance on intellectual property, data privacy and cultural considerations when doing so.