Everything you need to know about curating and organizing an exhibition or a pavilion at the (Venice) Biennale.

What is necessary to know about permissions, promotion, funding and more…to make a successful event.

27.09 – 18.10.2021

Deadline: 15 September 2021

The Venice Biennale is a large-scale international contemporary art exhibition. In early May, thousands of art-world denizens descend in the city for the opening of a new edition of the Biennale, the closely watched pageant of contemporary art that has been running—with a few interruptions—since 1895. The Biennale is arguably the most prestigious exhibition in the world, filled with history and also cloaked in myth.

The preview days brings 25,000 artists, collectors, curators, museum directors and journalists into the city, followed by 600,000 visitors in the six months after. For this reason it is extremely important to know how everything works.

Session 1.

What is the Venice Biennale and why everybody wants to be present. Identification of the keys points that all participants need to know before facing such import event.

Session 2.

First step the location. How to find the ideal location. Even though the city is small, for the Venice Biennale you need to be in a good quarter. How to find the right location. Prices. The place makes the difference.

Session 3.

Step 2. What do you need to know about your location. The exhibition space is in the Arsenale? Inside of the Biennale? Then is very important to know which are the rules to respect, the permissions you need and the best suppliers you can get.

Session 4.

Organizing your event in a place located in the city: the things changes and there are other permissions you need to provide, rules to respect, and of course the suppliers.

Session 5.

How to promote an event during the Biennale: this is the most intensive period and a part for the main exhibition organized by the Biennale, you have at least 300 more competitors. In the city during the Venice Biennale there almost 500 of shows, events and projects. Timing and strategies is a key point in order to have a successful event.

Session 6.

Collateral events can be a good strategy to keep and attract the attention on your initiative. When is a collateral program useful for the promotion of your show and how should it work: dinners, parties, conference, workshop and presentation.

Session 7.

Your event needs more money! How do you identify possible sponsors. Which is the best strategy to approach a potential client for your initiative.

Session 8.

What can you do for your supporters. The Venice Biennale is an exclusive way to say thank you.

Session 9.

Venice is a tough city! No cars, therefore transports are only on boats. All about logistic: transports and suppliers. Taxi and restaurants. Hotels and flats. When you should start booking and arranging all these fundamental matters.

Session 10.

What you should not do at the Venice Biennale. Some key scenarios which should absolutely avoided.