Cayo Coco appoints curator of Venice Biennale 2026

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Board of Directors of the Venice Biennale has appointed Koyo Kouo as the Director of the Visual Arts Department, with the specific task of curating the 61st International Art Exhibition, scheduled for 2026, Azernews reports.

Koyo Kouo, a dual national of Cameroon and Switzerland, has been the Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town since 2019. Before that, she was the founding Artistic Director of RAW Material Company, a center for art, knowledge, and society in Dakar. Kouo is also the recipient of the prestigious Meret Oppenheim Grand Prix 2020, awarded for her outstanding achievements in the fields of art, architecture, criticism, and curating exhibitions. She has also won the Swiss Art Prize, further cementing her reputation as a leading figure in the global art world.

Koyo Kouo shared her excitement about the new role: "For over a hundred years, the Venice International Biennale has served as an iconic gathering place for artists, art experts, collectors, merchants, philanthropists, and audiences from all over the world. It is an honor and a privilege to carry forward the legacy of our remarkable predecessors. As Artistic Director, I am determined to curate an exhibition that reflects the spirit of our times and, more importantly, contributes to the future we aspire to build."

Her appointment comes at a time when the Venice Biennale continues to be one of the most important platforms for contemporary art worldwide. Known for pushing boundaries and highlighting new voices, the Biennale is a reflection of the global shifts in art, culture, and politics. Koyo Kouo's appointment as the curator of the 2026 exhibition is seen as a significant move towards diversifying the Biennale’s representation and bringing fresh perspectives to the global art stage.

Kouo’s extensive experience in both Africa and Europe, coupled with her commitment to promoting dialogue between contemporary art and societal issues, will likely influence the 2026 exhibition’s thematic direction. As a curator who emphasizes collaboration and cross-cultural exchange, her vision for the Biennale is expected to engage with pressing global issues such as identity, climate change, social justice, and the role of art in shaping collective futures.