FAQ: Behind the 2026 SA Pavilion
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1. Will South Africa participate in the 2026 Venice Biennale?
1. Will South Africa participate in the 2026 Venice Biennale?
South Africa will officially participate in the 61st Venice Art Biennale (2026), the world’s most influential platform for contemporary art. This edition, curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, marks the first Biennale ever led by an African-born woman. For South Africa, it’s a historic opportunity to celebrate African leadership in global culture and to reaffirm the country’s place in international dialogue.
2. Who is responsible for producing the Pavilion?
2. Who is responsible for producing the Pavilion?
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has partnered with Art Periodic South Africa (A°P), a registered non-profit company established to fundraise, administer, and produce South Africa’s participation in major international exhibitions. Latitudes Online has been appointed as Media and Strategic Partner to lead communications, visibility, and sector engagement.
3. Why was Art Periodic South Africa (A°P) appointed?
3. Why was Art Periodic South Africa (A°P) appointed?
Historically, DSAC has issued a public tender in early September for organisations to curate and manage the South African Pavilion. When, by October 2025, the tender had not been released, Art Periodic South Africa (A°P) submitted an unsolicited proposal to fundraise, administer, and produce the Pavilion, ensuring that South Africa would not miss the opportunity to have a national presence at the 2026 Biennale. At that time, DSAC was reviewing the feasibility of South Africa’s participation. After due consideration, A°P’s proposal was accepted, with the Department continuing its support through the rental of South Africa’s exhibition space in Venice. This partnership, officially confirmed by DSAC on 5 November 2025, marks an important evolution toward a sector-led and inclusive model of cultural representation, grounded in collaboration between government and the creative community. Find the official DSAC Statement at this link.
This marks a new, collaborative model for national representation: one that is sector-led and inclusive.
4. What experience does A°P bring?
4. What experience does A°P bring?
A°P’s leadership team combines deep experience in arts management, production, and governance:
Ann Roberts — Arts manager, curator, and producer with 20+ years’ experience. Led the 2017 South African Pavilion; managed Goodman Gallery’s SOUTH SOUTH platform; and founded TMRW (The Mixed Reality Workshop).
Liesl Potgieter — Production and exhibition designer; oversaw the 2017, 2019, and 2024 South African Pavilions; and serves as Design & Production Director at RMB Latitudes.
Pule Taukobong — Entrepreneur and investor; Co-Founder of CRE Venture Capital and Africa Angels Network; provides strategic oversight in finance, compliance, and fundraising.
Together, they bring creative leadership, operational precision, and fiscal accountability.
5. What is DSAC’s role?
5. What is DSAC’s role?
DSAC remains a core partner in the Pavilion, continuing to fund the rental of South Africa’s exhibition space in Venice and formally appointing the Ambassador of South Africa to Italy as Commissioner, in line with Biennale protocol. Through this partnership, DSAC ensures national oversight while empowering sector-led delivery.
6. What is Latitudes Online's role?
6. What is Latitudes Online's role?
Latitudes Online is Africa’s largest curated platform dedicated to art from the continent and its diaspora. Through its digital marketplace, editorial platform, exhibitions, Latitudes connects artists, galleries, and collectors across Africa and the world. As Media and Strategic Partner for the South African Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale (2026), Latitudes is responsible for:
Leading communications, storytelling, and media visibility;
Guiding strategic development and project structure; and
Supporting sector engagement to strengthen connections between artists, curators, and audiences.
Latitudes ensures that South Africa’s participation is communicated with integrity, inclusivity, and international resonance.
7. Why is the process being fast-tracked?
7. Why is the process being fast-tracked?
Because no tender was issued and the Biennale’s international deadlines are fixed, South Africa risked losing its position in 2026. A°P’s proactive proposal preserved the country’s participation. The current Open Call has been fast-tracked to maintain transparency and inclusivity while meeting the global schedule. This is not a shortcut, it’s a necessary and equitable solution, ensuring artists, curators, and organisations across South Africa still have access to this world stage.
8. How will the curator and artists be selected?
8. How will the curator and artists be selected?
A°P has launched an Open Call for Curatorial Proposals, inviting independent curators, collectives, galleries, and NPOs to apply by 24 November 2025. All submissions will be reviewed by A°P for eligibility and feasibility. A shortlist of up to ten proposals will then be presented to an Advisory and Curatorial Committee of respected figures from the creative sector. The Committee will deliberate and recommend the final exhibition, ensuring a transparent, credible, and sector-driven process.
9. Who can apply and is participation limited to South Africans?
9. Who can apply and is participation limited to South Africans?
The Pavilion represents South Africa but recognises the global, interconnected nature of artistic practice today. Eligible applicants include:
South African citizens and residents;
Artists and curators based in South Africa; and
Artists whose work meaningfully engages with South African histories, debates, or cultural narratives.
Projects that contribute to South African cultural discourse, even by non-citizens working within the local ecosystem, will be considered.
10. Who sits on the Advisory and Curatorial Committee?
10. Who sits on the Advisory and Curatorial Committee?
The members of the Advisory and Curatorial Committees will be made public and will include a diverse group of respected leaders from culture and civil society. Confirmed members will be announced publicly before the Open Call closes. Their purpose is to guide the Pavilion’s selection process and uphold excellence, inclusivity, and accountability throughout.
11. How will funding be raised?
11. How will funding be raised?
While DSAC covers the venue rental. All other production, shipping, and operational costs must be raised independently. A°P welcomes private individuals, corporations, and foundations to support through structured partnership tiers. All contributions are managed transparently through A°P’s non-profit structure. This hybrid model combines public accountability with private-sector collaboration, ensuring sustainability and integrity.
12. What happens if funding targets aren’t met?
12. What happens if funding targets aren’t met?
The selected curatorial vision will remain the Pavilion’s conceptual foundation. If full funding is not achieved, A°P will work collaboratively with the curator to adjust the scope of the project while maintaining artistic integrity and compliance with Biennale standards.
13. What makes this Pavilion different from previous editions?
13. What makes this Pavilion different from previous editions?
This edition pioneers a new, inclusive model for cultural representation, one built with the sector, for the sector. By opening the call to independent curators (even without institutional backing) and supporting them to realise their vision, A°P is breaking down traditional barriers to entry and building a framework for future collaboration and sustainability.
14. Why is South Africa’s participation in 2026 significant?
14. Why is South Africa’s participation in 2026 significant?
The 2026 Biennale, curated by Koyo Kouoh (Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz MOCAA), is the first in the Biennale’s history led by an African-born woman. South Africa’s participation honours her legacy and reaffirms the country’s leadership within the global conversation on contemporary African art, a moment of pride, renewal, and collective vision.
15. How can the public and sector get involved?
15. How can the public and sector get involved?
There are several ways to participate:
Curators & organisations: submit proposals by 24 November 2025.
Funders & partners: join through A°P’s partnership tiers.
Sector members & supporters: share and amplify the Open Call to ensure nationwide participation.
Exhibition and Partnership Enquiries:
Contact: info@artperiodic.co.za
16. Where can the media access materials and updates?
16. Where can the media access materials and updates?
Media Statement and Open Call are available here.
Media Enquiries:
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