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Hong Kong Museum of Art to Lead 2026 Venice Biennale Exhibition, Replacing M+
Hong Kong Museum of Art Takes Over 2026 Venice Biennale Exhibition, Opens Call for Artist Proposals
The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMOA) has officially taken over the organization of the city’s exhibition at the 2026 Venice Biennale, replacing M+ museum, which had curated Hong Kong's participation since 2013.
Unlike recent years, the 2026 exhibition will not focus on a single artist but instead feature several artists selected from a pool of over 200 nominees. These include artists commissioned by government-run museums, nominees from universities, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC).
The HKADC, appointed by the government and responsible for Hong Kong’s biennial exhibitions, made the decision to appoint HKMOA as the new organizer. Although this change had been widely discussed in the art community, it was only recently confirmed.
Veteran curator Johnson Chang welcomed the shift, noting HKMOA’s deeper roots in Hong Kong’s art history. The council’s vice-chairman, Frankie Yeung, said the decision was driven by a desire for a new partner, with hopes to highlight Chinese traditional culture and Hong Kong’s uniqueness.
However, museum director Maria Mok emphasized that the exhibition is open to all artists and not limited to traditional themes or Hong Kong residents. She also noted that this inclusive, open call for proposals marks a shift from M+’s artist selection model.
While M+ faced early criticism for its approach, it helped increase visibility for Hong Kong’s pavilion, attracting 200,000 visitors in 2024. In contrast, the 2011 exhibition saw just 72,400 visitors.
HKMOA plans to continue the tradition of holding a follow-up exhibition in Hong Kong and will curate the Venice showcase through a team-based model — a return to earlier practices and in line with many national pavilions at the Biennale.
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