As the Education Partner for Australia's 2026 Venice Biennale presentation, UNSW is at the forefront of international contemporary art through education, collaboration and exchange.
UNSW's Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) has been appointed as the exclusive Education Partner for Australia's participation in the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia , the world's most influential platform for contemporary art.
Running from 9 May to 22 November 2026, the Venice Biennale brings together leading artists, curators and cultural thinkers from around the globe and is often described as the 'Olympics' of contemporary art.
The appointment marks a significant new partnership between UNSW Sydney and Creative Australia , the Australian Government's peak arts funding body and the commissioning organisation for Australia's representation at the Biennale.
Australia's 2026 artistic team comprises acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Khaled Sabsabi, an alum of UNSW School of Art & Design , and curator Michael Dagostino . Sabsabi's work will be presented both in the Australia Pavilion and in the Biennale's main exhibition 'In Minor Keys' , curated by the late Koyo Kouoh . It's the first time an Australian artist has been featured in both contexts simultaneously, and one of the few occasions in the Biennale's history of over 125 years.
UNSW ADA's leadership role in Venice
As Education Partner, UNSW ADA, led by UNSW Galleries , is delivering a comprehensive suite of public programs in Sydney and Venice, developing education resources and the Pavilion's official catalogue, and creating professional learning opportunities for UNSW students and staff.
"This partnership positions UNSW Sydney as an important contributor to one of the most influential platforms for contemporary art. We are proud to stand in solidarity with Australia's artistic team and collaborate with Creative Australia to showcase the strength and importance of our alum internationally," says José Da Silva , Director of UNSW Galleries.
Student ambassadors representing Australia in Venice
Four students from ADA's School of Art & Design have been selected to undertake Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements in Venice, where they will work as cultural mediators in the Australia Pavilion. Abi Montgomery, Aileen Wesson, Owen Redmond and Sharon Chiang will participate in two program periods across May and September.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to immerse myself in Venice for three weeks and encounter groundbreaking work from artists around the world at the Biennale," said ADA Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) student Abi Montgomery.
Before travelling, the students completed a three-day cultural mediation training program. In Venice, they will assist with opening events, public programs, education symposia and the launch of the official exhibition catalogue.
"The Venice Biennale offers an unparalleled learning environment for emerging practitioners, and we are thrilled to see our students take on such meaningful roles," says Professor Alison Gwilt , Head of ADA's School of Art & Design.
"Their participation reflects the strength of our programs in preparing graduates who are culturally engaged, professionally capable and ready to contribute to international creative communities. This partnership allows us to extend our teaching beyond the classroom and into one of the world's most dynamic artistic settings."
Education resources, public programs and community engagement
In partnership with Creative Australia, UNSW is developing public gatherings in Venice for May and September. The September program includes an education symposium presented at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, attended by UNSW students undertaking international study as part of the Master of Curating & Cultural Leadership.
The 2026 Venice Biennale marks a significant moment for UNSW, with alum Khaled Sabsabi representing Australia at the highest level of international contemporary art, and UNSW ADA leading the international education partnership for the first time.
"UNSW's appointment as Education Partner for Australia's participation at the Venice Biennale reflects our deep commitment to fostering global cultural leadership," says Professor Claire Annesley, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture.
