Introduction
The DeCordova New England Biennial stands as the region's premier platform for contemporary art, thoughtfully showcasing the most innovative and compelling work from across the six New England states. Hosted by the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts, this distinguished exhibition transforms the museum's indoor galleries and expansive 30-acre grounds into a dynamic showcase that captures the distinct cultural identity of America's northeastern corner.
Since evolving from the DeCordova Annual Exhibition to its current biennial format in 2010, the exhibition has become an essential barometer of contemporary art in New England, introducing emerging talents alongside established practitioners. What distinguishes the DeCordova Biennial is its commitment to representing the full geographic and cultural diversity of the region—from coastal Maine to urban Connecticut, rural Vermont to metropolitan Boston—creating a comprehensive portrait of New England's artistic ecosystem that challenges traditional perceptions of regional art.
Through its rigorous curatorial process involving hundreds of studio visits, the biennial offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience how contemporary artists are responding to this particular place and moment in time. As the only major recurring exhibition dedicated to New England's contemporary art scene, the DeCordova Biennial serves as both a launching pad for artists' careers and a vital record of the region's evolving cultural landscape.
In the News
Current coverage of DeCordova New England Biennial
Redefining Regional: How the DeCordova Biennial Transformed New England's Art Ecosystem
On a crisp March morning in 2010, the art world's attention turned unexpectedly toward Lincoln, Massachusetts. The DeCordova Museum, long respected but rarely headline-generating, was about to open the first edition of its newly formatted New England Biennial. What had previously been a modest annual showcase limited to Massachusetts artists was reborn as an ambitious six-state survey with a clear mission: to redefine what "regional art" could mean in the 21st century.
That inaugural biennial marked a watershed moment not just for the institution but for New England's entire contemporary art ecosystem. "The transformation was almost immediate," recalls Nick Capasso, then senior curator at DeCordova and one of the architects of the biennial's new vision. "Suddenly, artists from Portland to Providence were in conversation with each other. Galleries were paying attention. Critics from New York were making the trip up. It changed the entire dynamic of how New England understood itself artistically."
The reimagining of the exhibition was born from a recognition of the paradox at the heart of New England's cultural identity. Despite being home to some of America's oldest and most prestigious art institutions and a dense network of art schools producing thousands of graduates annually, the region lacked a unified contemporary art scene. Boston, Providence, Portland, and New Haven operated as separate islands, their artistic communities rarely crossing the short distances between them. Meanwhile, the region's contemporary artists labored under the long shadow of New England's historical art traditions—coastal landscapes, pastoral scenes, and the legacy of transcendentalism.
"There was this persistent myth that to make it as an artist, you had to leave New England for New York," explains Sarah Montross, current Senior Curator at DeCordova. "The biennial was conceived partly as a counterargument—to say that not only is vital work happening here, but there's something distinctive about it that deserves recognition on its own terms."
This cultural intervention arrived at a pivotal moment. The 2008 financial crisis had dealt a severe blow to many regional arts organizations and galleries. Simultaneously, rising costs in traditional art centers like New York were pushing artists to seek alternative locations. The biennial offered a timely platform that could help anchor talent in the region while providing critical exposure.
The curatorial approach developed for the biennial was as ambitious as it was democratic. Instead of relying solely on submissions, the curatorial team committed to an intensive research process involving hundreds of studio visits across all six states. This methodical mapping of the region's artistic landscape uncovered connections and conversations happening outside institutional walls, bringing attention to artists working in rural areas and smaller cities who might otherwise remain invisible to the broader art world.
"We discovered incredible work happening in former mill buildings in western Massachusetts, in barns in Vermont, in repurposed spaces along the Maine coast," says Dina Deitsch, who curated the 2012 and 2013 editions. "These weren't artists making 'regional art' in any reductive sense. They were engaging with global contemporary concerns but from a specific geographic position that informed their perspective."
The biennial's impact extended beyond mere exposure. By bringing artists from different parts of New England into dialogue, it catalyzed new collaborations and exchanges. After appearing in the 2012 biennial, Portland-based photographer Sean Alonzo Harris and Boston sculptor Georgie Friedman initiated a series of joint projects exploring climate change on the New England coast. Similarly, the 2016 edition connected Providence textile artist Sophia Narrett with Vermont woodworker Duncan Johnson, resulting in a series of innovative mixed-media works that toured nationally.
Perhaps most significantly, the biennial helped reshape how New England art is perceived both within and beyond the region. The stereotype of New England art as provincial and tradition-bound gave way to recognition of its dynamic engagement with contemporary issues. Early editions highlighted artists addressing environmental concerns, post-industrial landscapes, and changing demographics long before these themes became art world trends.
The biennial's impact on artists' careers has been equally profound. For Samantha Fields, whose immersive textile installation was featured in the 2016 edition, the exhibition marked a turning point: "Before the biennial, I was showing primarily in artist-run spaces. After DeCordova, I secured gallery representation in Boston and New York, received a major fellowship, and was invited to participate in exhibitions internationally. It completely changed my professional trajectory."
The institution itself has evolved alongside the biennial. In 2019, DeCordova became part of The Trustees of Reservations, New England's largest conservation and preservation organization, expanding its resources and reach. This partnership has reinforced the biennial's engagement with environmental themes and site-responsive work, particularly in the sculpture park that surrounds the museum.
As the biennial approaches its ninth edition in 2026, its influence on New England's cultural landscape is undeniable. The exhibition has helped nurture a regional ecosystem where artists increasingly choose to build their careers locally rather than departing for traditional art centers. It has strengthened connections between the region's various art communities and institutions, fostering a more cohesive identity while respecting local distinctions.
"The biennial helped us recognize that 'regional' doesn't mean 'provincial,'" reflects artist Josephine Halvorson, whose work appeared in the 2010 inaugural edition before she gained international recognition. "It showed that meaningful engagement with a specific place can be a source of strength and distinction in a globalized art world."
Beyond its impact on individual artists and institutions, the DeCordova Biennial has contributed to a broader rethinking of center-periphery dynamics in the art world. As the dominance of traditional art capitals has been increasingly questioned, the biennial offers a compelling model for how regional art ecosystems can thrive through institutional commitment, rigorous research, and a curatorial vision that embraces geographic specificity while rejecting limiting definitions of "regional art."
In this sense, the DeCordova Biennial's greatest achievement may be in challenging us to reconsider what "New England art" means—not as a style or tradition, but as a vibrant, evolving conversation shaped by the region's unique confluence of history, landscape, academic institutions, and changing communities. By creating a platform where this conversation can unfold and be shared, the biennial has helped transform New England from a place artists leave to a place where they can stay, connect, and thrive.
Artistic Vision & Themes
Each edition of the DeCordova Biennial presents a carefully calibrated balance between thematic coherence and artistic diversity, offering a snapshot of the most compelling work being created across New England's six states. While not imposing rigid curatorial frameworks, the exhibition consistently reveals meaningful patterns and preoccupations that reflect both the region's distinctive character and its engagement with broader contemporary issues.
Recent biennials have highlighted several recurring themes that speak to New England's particular context. Environmental concerns feature prominently, with artists addressing climate change's specific impact on the region's coastal communities, forest ecosystems, and seasonal rhythms. The post-industrial landscape remains a potent subject, with many artists engaging the region's manufacturing history through works that transform materials from abandoned mills and factories or document changing urban spaces.
The tension between tradition and innovation emerges as another consistent thread, with artists reinterpreting traditional craft techniques—from textiles and ceramics to woodworking and printmaking—through contemporary conceptual frameworks. This engagement with craft reflects both the region's strong educational institutions, which maintain robust programs in these disciplines, and a cultural history that values skilled making.
The biennial also serves as a platform for exploring questions of identity and belonging in a region undergoing significant demographic shifts. Recent editions have featured powerful works addressing immigration, Indigenous perspectives, and the experiences of communities historically marginalized in New England's cultural narratives. This attention to diverse voices represents a deliberate expansion of what "New England art" can encompass.
The museum's unique setting, which combines traditional gallery spaces with an expansive sculpture park, shapes the exhibition's artistic vision. Many artists create site-specific installations that respond to the landscape or architectural features, establishing a dialogue between art, environment, and audience that distinguishes the DeCordova Biennial from exhibitions confined to conventional white-cube spaces.
History & Legacy
The DeCordova New England Biennial emerged from a period of institutional self-examination and regional cultural assessment. The museum's earlier Annual Exhibition series, which began in 1989 and focused exclusively on Massachusetts artists, had established a respected platform but one limited in scope and impact. By 2010, recognizing both the interconnected nature of New England's art communities and the need for a more substantial survey of contemporary practice in the region, the museum expanded the exhibition's geographic reach and adopted a biennial format that allowed for more in-depth research and presentation.
This transition reflected broader shifts in both the institution's mission and the changing landscape of contemporary art in New England. The biennial format positioned the exhibition within the international context of biennials as significant platforms for contemporary art while maintaining a distinct focus on the region's specific cultural ecosystem. The expanded geographic scope acknowledged the artificial nature of state boundaries in a region where artists frequently move between urban centers and rural communities across state lines.
DeCordova Annual Exhibition series begins, focusing on Massachusetts artists
First DeCordova Biennial launched, expanding to include all six New England states
Biennial introduces site-specific commissions for the Sculpture Park
Exhibition expands to include more video works and performance art
DeCordova joins the Trustees of Reservations, expanding resources and reach
Post-pandemic edition emphasizes community engagement and public programming
Biennial introduces expanded digital platform and year-round programming
The biennial has played a crucial role in defining and amplifying New England's contribution to contemporary art discourse. By providing a consistent platform for the region's artists, it has helped counter the perception that meaningful contemporary art production happens primarily in major art centers like New York and Los Angeles. For many artists, inclusion in the biennial has led to increased visibility, institutional acquisitions, gallery representation, and opportunities beyond the region.
Beyond its impact on individual careers, the biennial has strengthened connections between New England's various art communities, fostering dialogue and collaboration across geographic and institutional boundaries. This network-building function has been particularly valuable for artists working outside major urban centers, providing crucial exposure and integration into broader conversations.
As the biennial has evolved, it has maintained a balance between celebrating the region's distinctive characteristics and engaging with global contemporary concerns. This dual focus has helped position New England artists within international contexts while recognizing the value of their specific geographic and cultural perspective.
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Exhibition Venue
The DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum serves as the primary venue for the biennial, offering a distinctive environment that combines traditional gallery spaces with a remarkable 30-acre landscape. Located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, approximately 20 miles west of Boston, the museum occupies the former estate of Julian de Cordova, a successful Boston merchant and art collector who bequeathed his property to the town of Lincoln to establish a public museum.
The museum building features approximately 20,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space spread across multiple levels, providing versatile environments for displaying works in various media. The modernist architecture creates a series of interconnected galleries with abundant natural light, offering both intimate spaces for smaller works and expansive areas that can accommodate large-scale installations.
What truly distinguishes the DeCordova as a biennial venue is its integration with the surrounding Sculpture Park, one of the largest of its kind in New England. The rolling terrain includes open fields, wooded areas, and a pond, creating diverse contexts for outdoor sculptural works. During biennial exhibitions, this landscape becomes an extension of the gallery space, with many artists creating site-specific installations that respond to the natural environment or enter into dialogue with the park's permanent collection of over 60 modern and contemporary sculptures.
Sculpture Park Integration
A distinctive feature of the DeCordova Biennial is the integration of contemporary works within the museum's renowned Sculpture Park. Many biennial artists create site-specific outdoor installations that respond to the park's varied terrain, creating a dynamic dialogue between art and landscape that changes with the seasons. This indoor-outdoor connection allows visitors to experience work in multiple contexts and underscores the importance of place in New England's artistic identity.
In 2019, the DeCordova became part of The Trustees of Reservations, New England's largest conservation and preservation organization. This alliance has expanded the museum's resources and reach while reinforcing its commitment to the intersection of art, nature, and public engagement that characterizes the biennial. The partnership has also connected the museum to a broader network of preserved landscapes and historic sites across Massachusetts, creating opportunities for biennial programming to extend beyond the Lincoln campus.
The museum's location in Lincoln—a suburb accessible from Boston but surrounded by conservation land—positions it at the intersection of urban and rural New England. This liminal quality resonates with the biennial's mission to bridge different art communities and traditions across the region, making the venue itself an embodiment of the exhibition's conceptual framework.
Featured Artists
The DeCordova New England Biennial typically showcases between 20-25 artists representing diverse approaches, backgrounds, and career stages. Selected through an extensive research process involving hundreds of studio visits across the six New England states, the participating artists reflect the region's rich artistic ecosystem and its connections to national and international art conversations.
The biennial's selection process combines curatorial research, nominations from regional arts professionals, and direct studio visits. This multilayered approach ensures representation from different geographic areas and artistic communities throughout New England, including artists who may be working outside established institutional networks. The curatorial team prioritizes the quality and significance of the work while considering how different practices might create meaningful dialogue within the exhibition.
Recent biennials have featured artists working across a wide spectrum of media—from painting, sculpture, and photography to video, performance, social practice, and digital art. This diversity reflects both the exhibition's commitment to representing the full range of contemporary practice and the increasing hybridity of artists' approaches. Many participating artists create new work specifically for the biennial, responding to the museum's unique spaces or engaging with themes that have particular resonance in the New England context.
Selection Process
Combines curatorial research, nominations, and studio visits
Regional Representation
Artists from all six New England states
Career Stages
Mix of emerging and established artists
Public Programs
Artist talks, performances, and workshops
Beyond the exhibition itself, the biennial includes an extensive program of artist talks, workshops, performances, and educational initiatives that deepen engagement with the featured works. Many participating artists develop specific public programs that activate their work and create opportunities for direct interaction with visitors.
For the upcoming 2026 edition, the curatorial team is placing particular emphasis on works that engage with New England's changing social and environmental landscape, exploring how artists are responding to shifts in regional identity, climate impacts, and cultural diversity. The selection will continue to balance recognition of established artists with discovery of emerging talents, maintaining the biennial's dual function as both a platform for new voices and a survey of the region's most significant contemporary work.
Video Experience
Experience the unique environment of the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum through this visual journey, exploring the landscapes and spaces that host the New England Biennial.
Video: DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum | Watch on YouTube
Location
The DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, approximately 20 miles west of Boston. Nestled within a picturesque New England landscape, the 30-acre campus combines indoor gallery spaces with an extensive outdoor sculpture park.
- Address: 51 Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln, MA 01773
- Nearest City: Boston (20 miles east)
- Public Transport: MBTA Commuter Rail to Lincoln station + shuttle
- Parking: Free on-site parking for visitors
- Grounds: 30 acres of landscaped sculpture park
Lincoln & Boston Area Guide
Explore New England's rich cultural landscape during your visit to the DeCordova Biennial with our curated guide to the region's art destinations, creative neighborhoods, and cultural attractions.
MFA, ICA, Harvard Art Museums
Historic site near DeCordova
Boston's gallery neighborhood
Modernist architectural landmark
Regional Art Destinations
- 📍 MASS MoCA: Contemporary art in North Adams (2.5 hours west)
- 📍 Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston's waterfront contemporary museum
- 📍 Rose Art Museum: Modern and contemporary art at Brandeis University
- 📍 Peabody Essex Museum: Art and cultural history in Salem
Getting Around
The Boston area has extensive public transportation, but a car is recommended for visiting DeCordova and other suburban cultural sites. The museum runs a shuttle from Lincoln station on weekends during the biennial. Many visitors combine DeCordova with nearby Walden Pond and historic Concord for a full-day cultural experience.