NZ at Venice 2028 Artist and Curator

Key dates

Stage One – Expression of Interest 

Open: Thursday 15 October 2026 
Close: 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 12 November 2026

Stage Two – Application

Close: 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 26 November 2026

EOI’s will be reviewed as they are received. Artist and curator teams that meet the criteria will be invited to participate in Stage Two at the earliest opportunity to maximise the time available for developing the application further.

Who can apply

Established visual artist and curator teams can apply. Expressions of interest that do not identify both an artist and curator at the time of application will not be eligible. Applications may be artist-led, curator-led or jointly developed.

Applications may include multiple artists or multiple curators. International curators, collaborators or contributors may also be included where their role is clearly explained.

To be eligible:

• the proposed artist or artists must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents; they may be based in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas
• the artist and curator must be established practitioners with a sustained professional practice
• the artist and curator must have a demonstrated track record of presenting high-quality exhibitions, complex projects or commissions nationally and/or internationally
• the artist and curator must demonstrate the experience, capability and readiness to develop and deliver Aotearoa New Zealand's presentation at the Venice Biennale in 2028
• the artist and curator must be able to work collaboratively with Creative New Zealand, the delivery partner project team, cultural advisers and stakeholders, and uphold the project’s cultural values

What is offered

The selected artist and curator team will work with Creative New Zealand and an appointed delivery partner to develop and deliver Aotearoa New Zealand’s official presentation at the 62nd International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2028.

Creative New Zealand will appoint a delivery partner for NZ at Venice 2028 separately. The selected artist and curator team will be expected to work closely with the delivery partner to develop and deliver the presentation.

The venue for the New Zealand pavilion has not yet been confirmed. Stage Two applicants will receive the latest available information on delivery arrangements, budget parameters, venue context and project expectations. Some information may remain subject to confirmation. 

Detailed artist, curator, production and exhibition budgets will be developed with the selected team, the delivery partner and Creative New Zealand. 

The partnership model brings together:

• Creative New Zealand, which retains overall accountability and strategic oversight
• the delivery partner, which leads operational planning and delivery of the exhibition
• the selected artist and curator team leads the artistic and curatorial development of the project, including its creative vision, conceptual framework, artwork, interpretation, and publication
• the selected artist and curator team will also be expected to contribute to communications, public engagement, knowledge-sharing and evaluation

How to apply

Stage One – Expression of Interest

First, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 12 November 2026.

Your EOI must include:

• Applicant details and declaration
• Details of the artist and curator team - including details of exhibition experience and previous artist and curator collaborations (max 4,000 characters)
• Proposal - tell us about the artistic proposal, its vision and curatorial ambition, and why it should be selected as Aotearoa New Zealand's official presentation at the Venice Biennale (max 4,000 characters) 

You do not need a full project team confirmed at EOI stage.

The Biennale has not yet announced its 2028 artistic director or curatorial direction, so proposals do not need to respond to a set theme.

Creative New Zealand retains discretion to determine which applicants progress to Stage Two, based on the extent to which they demonstrate eligibility, relevant experience, capability and readiness against the published criteria.

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee progression to Stage Two.

Expression of Interest form

Stage Two – Application

Stage Two applicants will be invited to submit more information by 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 26 November 2026. 

This may include:

• further developed artistic and curatorial rationale
• an expanded exhibition proposal, with a focused selection of images or links to proposed or previous work where relevant
• an indicative production budget, technical, freight, installation, site or specialist support requirements
• any known institutional, in-kind, fundraising or partnership support
• any significant cultural, accessibility or logistical considerations
• capacity and availability to contribute to the development and delivery of communications, media, public engagement, and longer-term storytelling

We will also ask you about how the proposal contributes to the NZ at Venice mana framework, and demonstrates awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, tikanga and kaupapa Māori

We do not expect fully developed exhibition and production plans, or a detailed budget. Stage two applicants will receive additional information to support the development of their application. This may include available venue information, presentation context, indicative budget parameters, project expectations and delivery support arrangements.

Applications may focus on presenting new work and/or a significant extension of existing work.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

You can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to help you draft, research, and refine your application, or to make funding processes more accessible.

We have developed guidance to consider if you do use AI in funding applications or creative mahi. These include thinking about possible impacts on intellectual property rights and data privacy, and cultural considerations, particularly in relation to Ngā Toi Māori and Pacific arts.

Read the guidance for using AI in funding applications and creative mahi

How decisions are made

Stage One - Expression of interest

Creative New Zealand staff will review Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for eligibility.

Stage One is designed to identify artist and curator teams that clearly demonstrate they meet the eligibility requirements and have the relevant experience, capability and readiness to deliver a project of this scale and significance. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee progression to Stage Two.

Review of EOIs will consider: 

• the track record and experience of the artist’s sustained professional practice, including national and international recognition of their work
• the artistic quality, distinctiveness and ambition of the proposed project
• the artist and curator team's demonstrated capability to realise high-quality exhibitions, commissions or other complex projects
• the team's capacity, readiness and collaborative approach to developing and delivering a project of this scale and profile
• the potential of the proposal to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Venice Biennale and contribute to the outcomes of the NZ at Venice mana framework

Stage Two - Application

Stage Two applications are expected to expand on the same criteria in Stage One. This is an opportunity to further develop your ideas with greater depth, clarity, and critical engagement

A Selection Advisory Panel convened by Creative New Zealand will assess Stage Two applications.

The panel will consider:

• the artistic merit, originality, ambition and distinctiveness of the concept, including its significance and suitability for the Venice Biennale
• the proposal's indicative feasibility in relation to scale, production requirements, technical considerations, accessibility, cultural considerations, logistics, available resources and indicative budget parameters
• the team's capacity to contribute to communications, media, public engagement, associated with NZ at Venice
• the team’s preparedness, capacity and collaborative working approach
• the team’s ability to work with Creative New Zealand, the delivery partner, cultural advisers and stakeholders, and uphold the project’s cultural values
• alignment with NZ at Venice mana framework, Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, tikanga Māori considerations and the project’s wider strategic outcomes.

The panel will include relevant artistic, curatorial, tikanga Māori, project delivery and Venice Biennale experience. The panel will make recommendations, with the Arts Council making the final decision.

Applicants may be asked to present to the panel at an online hui. Creative New Zealand may also contact applicants during assessment.

Creative New Zealand aims to confirm the selected artist and curator team in January 2027, subject to assessment, due diligence and approval processes. We will contact all applicants before making a public announcement.

Who to talk to

We strongly encourage prospective applicants to get in touch to discuss their proposal, eligibility or any questions about the application process.

If our systems are not accessible to you, talk to us so we can find the best way for you to apply.

Email: venice@creativenz.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 CREATIVE (273 284) or +64 4 4999 585