Often described as "the Olympics of the art world", participation in the Biennale is a prestigious event for contemporary artists.
The Biennale parent organization also hosts regular festivals in other arts: architecture, dance, film, music, and theater.
[1] Nations without dedicated buildings create pavilions in the Venice Arsenale and palazzos throughout the city.
[2] Koyo Kouoh, chief curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, will serve as the 61st Venice Biennale's artistic director.
[4] Each country selects artists to show at their pavilion, ostensibly with an eye to the Biennale's theme.