Explore our comprehensive database of global art biennales, triennales, and recurring exhibitions
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1990
Australia's longest-running survey of contemporary Australian art.
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2011
Nigeria's premier platform for performance art.
Location: Nagoya, Japan
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2010
One of Japan's largest international contemporary art festivals.
Location: Various cities, United States
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2010
Exploring contemporary art practices across the Americas.
Location: Andorra
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2015
Site-specific land art in the Pyrenees mountains.
Location: Coimbra, Portugal
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2015
Contemporary art event in Portugal's historic university city.
Location: Antarctica
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2017
A unique cultural expedition exploring art in Earth's southernmost continent.
Location: Anren, China
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2017
Contemporary art exhibition in a historic Chinese town.
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 1993
Major platform for art from Asia, the Pacific and Australia, featuring contemporary work from diverse cultures and traditions.
Location: Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2014
Contemporary art event exploring cultural connections between Brazil and Africa.
Location: Ballarat, Australia
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2005
Australia's leading contemporary photographic arts festival.
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 1979
Major international contemporary art event in the Baltic region.
Location: Bamako, Mali
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1994
Africa's principal event dedicated to photography and lens-based media.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2018
Contemporary art festival utilizing Bangkok's historical landmarks and urban spaces.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2018
Artist-initiated, open-access platform utilizing decentralized pavilions across Bangkok.
Location: Belgian Coast, Belgium
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2003
Outdoor sculpture exhibition along the Belgian coastline featuring site-specific installations.
Location: Bergen, Norway
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2013
Contemporary art triennial developed as an alternative to the conventional biennial format, offering an experimental approach to art and research.
Location: Berlin, Germany
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1998
A prestigious platform for radical contemporary art approaches and international discourse.
Location: Busan, South Korea
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1998
Contemporary art event exploring the cultural identity of the port city through international collaborations.
Location: Beijing, China
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2011
Contemporary art biennale organized by the Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum.
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1984
One of the oldest contemporary art biennales in the Arab world, showcasing Egyptian and international artists.
Location: Newport Beach, United States
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2013
Exhibition focusing on contemporary art from countries bordering the Pacific Ocean.
Location: Pittsburgh, United States
Frequency: Every 3-5 years
Established: 1896
The oldest North American exhibition of international contemporary art, second worldwide only to the Venice Biennale.
Location: Chicago, USA
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2015
North America's largest international survey of contemporary architecture and urban innovation.
Location: Mechelen, Belgium
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2003
Exhibition dedicated to moving image, exploring the relationships between contemporary visual art, film and social context.
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1992
Africa's most significant contemporary art biennale, dedicated to promoting African artists.
Location: Dallas, USA
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2012
Artist-run biennial presenting contemporary art in various locations across Dallas.
Location: Lincoln, USA
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2010
Showcasing the work of established and emerging artists from the New England region.
Location: Coachella Valley, USA
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2017
Site-specific exhibition of contemporary art installations set in the desert landscape.
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2017
Exhibition exploring contemporary design practices and their social, cultural, and economic implications.
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2021
Saudi Arabia's first contemporary art biennale, focusing on dialogue between local and international artists.
Location: Kassel, Germany
Frequency: Every 5 years
Established: 1955
One of the world's most influential contemporary art exhibitions, known for its conceptual approach.
Location: Various cities, East Africa
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2003
Traveling exhibition showcasing contemporary art from East African countries.
Location: Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2000
One of the world's largest art festivals, spanning 760 square kilometers of rural Japan with site-specific installations.
Location: Ruhr Region, Germany
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2010
Site-specific installations along the Emscher River Valley, focusing on environmental transformation and urban renewal.
Location: Ushuaia, Argentina
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2007
Contemporary art exhibition held in the southernmost city in the world.
Location: Limerick, Ireland
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1977
Ireland's biennial of contemporary art, featuring a wide range of international and Irish artists.
Location: Fellbach, Germany
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 1980
Small-scale sculpture exhibition with a focus on current trends in three-dimensional art.
Location: Florence, Italy
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1997
International exhibition of contemporary art with a focus on the diverse practices of artists from around the world.
Location: Folkestone, United Kingdom
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2008
Ambitious public art exhibition commissioning new works for permanent and temporary installation in the seaside town.
Location: Houston, USA
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1986
The longest-running international photographic arts festival in the United States.
Location: Sorocaba, Brazil
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2014
Contemporary art exhibition focusing on Brazilian and international artists, with emphasis on social and political themes.
Location: Cleveland, USA
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2018
Contemporary art triennial presenting artist commissions, exhibitions, and public programs across Northeast Ohio.
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2001
Contemporary art biennial exploring sociopolitical issues through thematic exhibitions.
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2005
Festival of contemporary art showcasing Glasgow as a key international center for the production and display of contemporary visual art.
Location: Gwangju, South Korea
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1995
Asia's oldest and most prestigious contemporary art biennale, founded to commemorate the spirit of the Gwangju Uprising.
Location: Havana, Cuba
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1984
Influential platform for contemporary art from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, known for its focus on artists from the Global South.
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2008
International photography festival featuring Nordic and international lens-based practices.
Location: Herzliya, Israel
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2007
Contemporary art event exploring the intersection of art and urban contexts in Israel.
Location: New Delhi, India
Frequency: Annual
Established: 2008
South Asia's leading platform for contemporary and modern art, showcasing works from India and neighboring countries.
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2007
Contemporary art exhibition focused on promoting and showcasing the works of women artists.
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Frequency: Annual
Established: 2017
Street art festival transforming urban spaces through murals and installations created by local and international artists.
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1987
Prestigious contemporary art exhibition bringing together artists from around the world in a city straddling Europe and Asia.
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1974
One of Southeast Asia's longest-running contemporary art exhibitions, focusing on Indonesian and international artists.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Frequency: Annual
Established: 1997
International festival honoring outstanding works in animation, manga, digital art, and interactive design.
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1995
Influential exhibition (held only in 1995 and 1997) that marked South Africa's re-entry into the global art world post-apartheid.
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2017
Nepal's premier international platform for global contemporary arts focused on themes of decolonization and indigenous knowledge.
Location: Kaunas, Lithuania
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1997
Contemporary art event exploring the cultural identity of Lithuania through international collaborations.
Location: Kochi, India
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2012
India's first large-scale international contemporary art exhibition, set in historic sites throughout Kochi.
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2000
Exhibition focusing on digital and media arts, showcasing innovative technological approaches to art-making.
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2007
International forum for debate, discussion and dissemination of architecture across geographic and disciplinary boundaries.
Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1998
The UK's largest international contemporary art festival, commissioning works across the city's public spaces, galleries, and historic buildings.
Location: London, United Kingdom
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2016
International exhibition of design installations by the world's most ambitious and innovative countries, cities, and territories.
Location: Lyon, France
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1991
Major contemporary art exhibition in France known for its thematic curation and international perspective.
Location: Various European cities
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1996
Nomadic European biennial that changes location every two years, responding to the changing social and political landscape.
Location: Marrakech, Morocco
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2005
Cultural festival promoting contemporary visual art, film, and literature in North Africa, with events in both conventional and unconventional venues.
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2000
Exhibition examining the relationship between art, technology, and urban environments, featuring media art, installations, and digital practices.
Location: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1997
Major exhibition showcasing art from Mercosul countries (South American trade bloc) and beyond.
Location: Moss, Norway
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1998
Exhibition showcasing contemporary art from the Nordic countries with international participants.
Location: Sundance, USA
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2007
Exhibition focusing on the intersection of film, art, technology, and new media storytelling.
Location: New York, USA
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2009
Exhibition dedicated to emerging artists from around the world, offering new perspectives on contemporary art.
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1960
Originally an annual exhibition that transformed into a biennial in 2004, showcasing Serbian and international contemporary art.
Location: Oslo, Norway
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2000
Nordic region's largest architecture festival exploring the social and environmental dimensions of architecture and urbanism.
Location: New York, USA
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2004
International biennial dedicated to live performance across disciplines, commissioning new works and exploring the critical role of performance in art history.
Location: Paris, France
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2007
Open-air photography exhibition along the Seine River showcasing non-Western photographers rarely seen in Europe.
Location: New Orleans, USA
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2008
Contemporary art triennial founded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, featuring site-specific installations throughout the city.
Location: Pune, India
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2017
Urban contemporary art festival engaging with the historical and social contexts of Pune.
Location: Rome, Italy
Frequency: Every 4 years
Established: 1931
Major national survey exhibition of Italian contemporary art, focusing on emerging artists and new trends.
Location: Rauma, Finland
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 1977
Contemporary art exhibition set in the historic wooden town of Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Location: Riga, Latvia
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2018
Contemporary art exhibition focusing on the Baltic region and its relationship to international art practices.
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2011
Contemporary art exhibition showcasing Brazilian and international artists in iconic Rio venues.
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1951
The second oldest art biennial in the world after Venice, and a major showcase for Latin American contemporary art.
Location: Seto Inland Sea, Japan
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2010
Contemporary art festival spread across multiple islands in the Seto Inland Sea, revitalizing rural communities through art tourism.
Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1993
Leading platform for contemporary art in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, known for its critical engagement.
Location: Münster, Germany
Frequency: Every 10 years
Established: 1977
Prestigious decennial exhibition exploring the relationship between sculpture, public space, and urban environment.
Location: Sydney, Australia
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1973
Australia's largest and most important contemporary visual arts event, known for its showcase of global art practices.
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1998
Major contemporary art exhibition in East Asia exploring global contemporary issues through the lens of Taiwanese culture.
Location: Tbilisi, Georgia
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2012
Contemporary art exhibition exploring the cultural identity of the Caucasus region and its connections to global art practices.
Location: Various cities, Thailand
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2018
Government-initiated contemporary art event held in different locations throughout Thailand each edition.
Location: Toronto, Canada
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2019
Exhibition engaging local and international audiences with contemporary art that reflects Toronto's diverse communities, with emphasis on indigenous perspectives.
Location: Ushuaia, Argentina
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2007
Contemporary art exhibition held in the world's southernmost city, exploring themes of borders and extremes.
Location: Venice, Italy
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1895
The world's oldest and most prestigious international art exhibition, featuring national pavilions and curated exhibitions.
Location: Venice, Italy
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1980
The architecture section of the Venice Biennale, held in alternating years with the art exhibition.
Location: New York, USA
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 1932
America's preeminent survey of contemporary art, showcasing the most important and innovative American artists.
Location: Xiamen, China
Frequency: Biennial
Established: 2016
Contemporary art exhibition showcasing works from the Asia-Pacific region with focus on cultural exchange between China and neighboring countries.
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Frequency: Triennial
Established: 2001
One of Japan's most prominent international contemporary art exhibitions held in the historic port city of Yokohama.
Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Frequency: Annual
Established: 2018
Contemporary art event bringing together galleries, museums, and institutions across Zürich for exhibitions and events.