Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Trump-Chosen US Biennale Pavilion Triggers Artist Petition

5/8/2026

28 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Trump Alters Biennale

The Venice Biennale opened May 9, 2026 with the pavilion featuring Jeffrey Uslip and Alma Allen after U.S. President Donald Trump’s open-call dropped diversity and added a ‘reflect and promote American values’ clause.
Jenni Parido, a pet-food company owner, became pavilion head through President Donald Trump’s circle.
The show drew criticism as inert, spurred a petition by 70 artists to exclude the United States, and prompted jury to resign.

Summary

Biennale Scraps Prizes

The Biennale scrapped the Golden Lion prizes and will award two Visitor’s Lions chosen by public vote, allowing ticket holders to cast one vote per site.
Italian trade unions—ADL Cobas, USB and CUB—joined a 24-hour strike while Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria closed their pavilions fully or partially.
Organisers said the Biennale complies with regulations, staff are not involved in protests, and freedom of expression is respected.

1 of 2

Trump Alters Biennale

The Venice Biennale opened May 9, 2026 with the pavilion featuring Jeffrey Uslip and Alma Allen after U.S. President Donald Trump’s open-call dropped diversity and added a ‘reflect and promote American values’ clause.
Jenni Parido, a pet-food company owner, became pavilion head through President Donald Trump’s circle.
The show drew criticism as inert, spurred a petition by 70 artists to exclude the United States, and prompted jury to resign.

1 / 2