The international jury for the 61st Venice Biennale, scheduled to open on 9 May 2026, has resigned. The brief statement, issued on 30 April 2026, reads: 'As of 30 April 2026, we, the international jury selected by Koyo Kouoh, Artistic Director of the 61st edition of La Biennale di Venezia, hereby resign from our positions.' No further details were provided.
The resignation comes just days before the opening of the prestigious art exhibition, which is set to run from 9 May to 22 November 2026. Koyo Kouoh, the first African-born artistic director of the Biennale, had selected the jury members earlier this year.
As of 1 May 2026, the Biennale organizers have not issued an official response or announced replacements for the jury. The reasons for the resignation remain unclear, and no additional statements have been released by the former jury members.
