Venice: EU Pulls Funding

The European Union has pulled a €2 million grant from the Venice Biennale over Russia’s return to the 2026 art exhibition. (apnews.com) The European Commission notified the Biennale foundation of the cut on Thursday, April 23, 2026, and gave organizers 30 days to defend their decision before the process is finalized, according to The Associated Press. (apnews.com) European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on April 21 that Russia should not be allowed to exhibit while its war in Ukraine continues, and Politico reported the bloc intended to cut funding after foreign ministers discussed the issue. (politico.eu) The Venice Biennale said national participations are organized by individual countries, not by the central exhibition, and it has kept the Russian pavilion in the official lineup for the 61st show opening on May 9, 2026. (apnews.com) (labiennale.org) That dispute is landing days before the exhibition’s public opening and on the same week the Biennale confirmed the five-member jury that will award the Golden Lions and other prizes. (labiennale.org) La Biennale di Venezia said the awards ceremony will be held in Venice on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the opening day of Biennale Arte 2026, which runs through November 22. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2) The jury will be led by Brazilian curator Solange Oliveira Farkas, founder of Associação Cultural Videobrasil, and includes Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi. (labiennale.org) (artnews.com) The 2026 edition is titled *In Minor Keys* and was developed from plans by curator Koyo Kouoh, whose exhibition framework and artist list were announced by the Biennale in February. (labiennale.org) (artnews.com) Russia withdrew from the 2022 Biennale after the invasion of Ukraine, and its reappearance in 2026 has reopened a question that has shadowed other Venice pavilions: whether a national art platform can be separated from state policy during wartime. (apnews.com) (artnews.com) The immediate next date is May 9, when the Biennale opens, the jury begins awarding prizes, and organizers face a funding fight that now sits alongside the art itself. (labiennale.org) (apnews.com)