The Canada Council for the Arts is seeking exhibition proposals for Canada’s official representation at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
The exhibition will take place at the Canada Pavilion in the Giardini della Biennale from May to November 2027.
The Canada Council is seeking proposals with ideas that “inspire, challenge and respond to current realities through the lens of contemporary Canadian architecture.” In addition to an on-site exhibition, each proposal must include a digital artistic element with functionality that is accessible to and discoverable by a wide audience.
The call is open to cross-disciplinary teams from incorporated Canadian organizations, institutions or registered businesses. The team must include architects and curators who will lead and manage the project and may also include contributors and collaborators such as artists, writers and designers.
The selected team will be responsible for all aspects of the exhibition, from conception and design to production, and will be expected to work with the Canada Council throughout the development and delivery phases of the project.
The exhibition, held every two years, consists of a central exhibition with more than 100 international participants, 60 national pavilions and collateral events throughout the city. It is a prestigious international event that engages conversations about contemporary architecture and attracts 300,000 visitors annually, including architects, artists, designers, critics, politicians, students and cultural leaders from around the world.
Since 1991, Canada has been participating in the International Architecture Exhibition and maintains its own pavilion in the Giardini della Biennale. The Canada Pavilion, built in 1956 by Enrico Peressutti of the Milanese architectural studio BBPR, was completely restored in 2018 by architect Alberico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, working in close collaboration with M+B Studio.
The surrounding landscape has been revitalized by la Biennale di Venezia in collaboration with Canadian landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander and Bryce Gauthier of Enns Gauthier Landscape Architects.
The Canada Council for the Arts, Commissioner of Canada’s official participation in the International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, administers the selection process and oversees the exhibition at the Canada Pavilion. A selection committee made up of professionals determines which team will realize a project that responds to current realities through the lens of contemporary Canadian architecture.
The Canada Council also contributes $500,000 towards the exhibition production.
Submissions are due January 15, 2026.
For more information, click here.