05 May 2026
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Ten talented curators, artists and gallery professionals will spend six weeks each in Venice across the seven month duration of the biennale (9 May- 22 November 2026).
While in Venice, attendants are responsible for supervising, promoting, and managing the day-to-day operations of Taharaki Skyside during the Venice Biennale. They act as ambassadors, greeting visitors, interpreting artworks, managing visitor flows, and maintaining the exhibition’s high standard.
It’s an excellent development opportunity for artists, curators and creative professionals to gain valuable experience at one of the world’s premiere arts events.
During their time in Venice, attendants will share their thoughts and impressions, which will be posted on the NZ at Venice website and Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa social media channels.
Creative New Zealand’s Venice Project Director Amber Baldock says the Attendants come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
“The Venice Attendants programme is a unique professional development opportunity, and this year’s cohort reflects the depth of talent across Aotearoa’s visual arts sector. The attendants are at the heart of how visitors experience the exhibition, and we know they’ll represent Aotearoa New Zealand with manaakitanga, confidence, and pride.”
The ten attendants heading to Venice this year are:
Hōhua Thompson (Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Rangiwewehi) is a curator, writer and practicing artist currently working at Te Uru as Kaiāwhina Whakāturanga, Assistant Curator.
Chevron Te-Whetumatarau Hassett (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine) is a visual artist predominantly working in lens-based media, sculpture, and public installation. He was an Arts Foundation Springboard Award recipient and is currently a Learning Facilitator at Auckland Art Gallery.
Jane Wallace currently serves as Curator at The Physics Room Contemporary Art Space in Ōtautahi. Her career includes her previous role as Curatorial Assistant at Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery, where she co-curated the survey exhibition Springtime is Heart-break: Contemporary Art in Aotearoa.
Anna McLean is currently curator at Oamaru’s Forrester Gallery Te Whare Taoka o Waitaki. Prior to this, she was Curatorial Intern at Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Information Events and Customer Services officer at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
Ruth Minh Ha studied Art History and Computer Science at the University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau and in 2023 was the recipient of the Michèle Whitecliffe Art Writing Prize. She is currently Assistant Curator at Gus Fisher Gallery.
Mya Morrison-Middleton (Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāi Tahu) is an artist and writer, is a Paemanu Ngāi Tahu Charitable Trust board member and current co-chair. Mya recently completed Toi Paematua - Toi Ataata at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Ōtepoti and participated in The Next Page programme for early-career editors.
Giulia Naspi is originally from Italy and holds a Masters in Contemporary Art History. She worked in museums and galleries in Italy before migrating to New Zealand in 2018. She began at Christchurch Art Gallery in 2021 and currently holds the dual positions of Visitor Host and Tour Guide and Visitor and Event Host.
Michael Purdie has been a Visitor Host at Christchurch Art Gallery since 2008. In 2016, Michael was a Visitor Host for Fiona Pardington’s survey exhibition, A Beautiful Hesitation, in 2016.
Meg Doughty is a Visitor Host and exhibition technician at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. She holds an MA with distinction from the University of Canterbury.
Geo Thompson-Skipworth (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a Visitor Host at Christchurch Art Gallery and Weekend Shift Supervisor at The Physics Room. A practicing artist, she is also the Director and Co-Founder of new Artist Run Space in Ōtautahi, The Green Room.