Rosa Martinez has been named the Artistic Director for the maltabiennale.art 2026, set to take place from March to May. The announcement was made by organisers Heritage Malta, following an international selection process that attracted over 20 applicants.
Martinez, known for her pioneering work as the first female Artistic Director of the Venice Biennale in 2005, will oversee the second edition of the Maltese contemporary art biennale. She described her appointment as an opportunity to bridge Malta’s rich cultural heritage with contemporary artistic practices. “Art can offer a critical response to inequalities and social injustices while fostering a sense of hope and beauty,” she said.
Expanding Malta’s cultural footprint
The maltabiennale.art aims to position Malta as a key player in the global contemporary art scene. The inaugural event in 2024 garnered international acclaim and was the only biennale worldwide to receive UNESCO patronage. The President of Malta also endorsed the event, further cementing its significance.
Organised in collaboration with Arts Council Malta, the biennale integrates contemporary art with historic sites, aiming to attract a global audience while reinvigorating these cultural landmarks.
Martinez brings extensive experience to the role. Her career includes curating major biennials in Barcelona, Rotterdam, Istanbul, and São Paulo, among others. She has also held the position of Chief Curator at the Museum of Modern Art in Istanbul and curated exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Picasso Museum in Barcelona.
Her previous engagements with Malta include curating Constellation Malta during Valletta’s European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2018 and Austin Camilleri’s LEIVA exhibition at Spazju Kreattiv in 2022.
Martinez’s first priorities include announcing the biennale’s curatorial theme and selecting historical venues for the exhibitions. An international call for artists is expected to open early next year.
The 2026 edition is anticipated to build on the success of its predecessor, further enhancing Malta’s reputation as a hub for contemporary art.
For more information, visit the official website at www.maltabiennale.art or follow @maltabiennale.art on social media.
