Venice Biennale Reappoints Sir Wayne McGregor as Dance Director as 2026 Festival Highlights New Works

The 20th International Contemporary Dance Festival of the Venice Biennale concluded on 1 August, drawing 17,000 visitors and a 90 % occupancy rate. The Biennale’s board, chaired by Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, confirmed Sir Wayne McGregor as artistic director of the Dance sector for the 2027‑2028 biennium, citing his role in expanding choreographic language and supporting emerging talent.

Separately, the city will host the sixth edition of the "Venere in teatro – Ritratti al presente" dance festival from 3 September 2026 at the Forte Marghera park in Venice Mestre. Organized by Live Arts Cultures with local and international partners, the program features 19 performances exploring present and future themes through AI, myth, and utopia. Highlights include works by Silvia Rampelli, Carmine Dipace, French choreographer Ambra Senatore, and the French duo annamae. The festival aims to blend history, desire, and speculative visions of tomorrow.

Both events underscore Venice’s ongoing commitment to positioning itself as a leading laboratory for contemporary dance innovation.