Art Periodic South Africa (A°P), in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and with Latitudes Online as Strategic and Media Partner, has officially announced the selection of the independent curatorial committee that will oversee South Africa’s Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, in 2026.
This announcement marks the start of a new public–private partnership model aimed at securing South Africa’s long-term participation in Venice. The revised structure emphasises transparency, sector collaboration, and curatorial independence while maintaining strong public accountability. The approach aligns with the operational models used by national pavilions in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, and Australia.
Strong Sector Response to Open Call
Following the public launch of the curatorial Open Call on 7 November, the Pavilion received 67 eligible applications in just two weeks. The volume and quality of submissions highlight the depth of talent, ambition, and unity within South Africa’s visual arts sector, underscoring the importance of a dynamic and representative presence in Venice.
Independent Curatorial Selection Committee Announced
The Curatorial Selection Committee, appointed to evaluate submissions and select the team that will curate the 2026 Pavilion, brings together leading scholars, curators, and cultural practitioners with deep local and international experience.
Committee Members:
- Professor Nomusa Makhubu
Professor of Art History and Visual Culture at the University of Cape Town; founder of Creative Knowledge Resources; award-winning scholar of African art, photography, and social justice. Makhubu previously co-curated a South African Pavilion and has received major awards from ACLS, ASA, and Harvard University. - Molemo Moiloa
Director of Andani.Africa and co-founder of Open Restitution Africa. Moiloa is widely recognised for her work in cultural policy, knowledge justice, and community-driven cultural practice across the continent. - Tumelo Mosaka
Independent curator with extensive global experience, including roles at the Brooklyn Museum (New York) and the Krannert Art Museum (Illinois). Mosaka has curated internationally with a focus on contemporary and African diasporic practices. - Sean O’Toole
Writer, editor, critic, and educator whose work has shaped public and academic discourse on contemporary South African art. O’Toole contributes to key international journals and catalogues and offers a critical global framing of local artistic production.
- Dr. Greer Valley
Curator and researcher with the University of Cape Town’s Archive and Public Culture Initiative; former Dak’Art Biennale selection committee member and Getty MAHASSA Fellow. Valley specialises in curatorial engagements with African colonial histories and institutional critique.
Committee members were selected to ensure:
- Broad representation across universities, museums, writing, research, and independent practice
- Significant international and Biennale-specific experience
- Regional, methodological, and intellectual diversity
- Independence, supported by external conflict-of-interest verification
Evaluation and Oversight
Submissions will be assessed using a structured scoring matrix across six criteria:
- Artistic and Curatorial Vision
- Relevance to South Africa
- International Resonance
- Feasibility
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Legacy Potential
Independent external monitors will verify the assessment process and scoring.
The committee will serve for the 2026 cycle only, with membership rotating for each edition to ensure diversity and prevent long-term consolidation of influence.
A Defining Moment for South Africa
The 61st Venice Biennale Arte will be curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz MOCAA. Kouoh’s appointment marks the first time in the Biennale’s history that the main exhibition will be led by an African-born woman—placing the continent at the centre of global cultural discourse.
For South Africa, this moment represents a critical opportunity to assert its artistic leadership, intellectual contributions, and cultural presence on one of the world’s most significant international stages.
