NAVA welcomes reinstatement of Artistic Team for 2026 Venice Biennale
Media Release
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) welcomes Creative Australia’s decision to reinstate Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino as the artistic team for the 2026 Venice Biennale, following an independent review into the events that led to the withdrawal of their original selection earlier this year.
“This is the right outcome,” said Penelope Benton, Executive Director of NAVA. “I am relieved by the decision and grateful that the Board has taken the time to reflect, review, and ultimately make it right.”
NAVA has been vocal in its support for the artist and in its concerns about the lack of transparency, consultation, and independence that characterised the earlier decision to rescind the commission.
“While the process has been deeply distressing for the artist, his team, and the broader arts sector, I appreciate that the review has been taken seriously,” Benton said. “This decision reflects a willingness to learn, correct mistakes and rebuild. Artistic freedom and independent decision-making must be protected, not just in principle, but in practice. This week’s announcement is an important step in reaffirming those values.”
The review points to some big lessons. “Proper risk planning means being ready to back the artist. That is essential if we want bold, ambitious work to thrive on the world stage,” Benton said. “The handling of this situation raised a lot of serious concerns. Reinstating the selected artistic team is a necessary correction, one that helps to repair confidence and ensure accountability going forward.”
Benton added that the reinstatement sends a strong message about Creative Australia’s future direction. “It shows that public institutions can acknowledge when things go wrong and take meaningful steps to make things right. That takes integrity, and it is an important part of restoring trust.”
NAVA hopes this outcome signals a commitment to Creative Australia’s legislated responsibilities, particularly its obligation to uphold and promote freedom of expression, foster fair and transparent decision-making processes, and consult meaningfully with the arts sector in the performance of its functions, especially in decisions of national significance.
“This can be a turning point,” said Benton. “The sector is watching closely, and it matters that artists know they will be supported, not abandoned, when their work challenges us to think deeply and critically.”
“The review offers some lessons for improving how we support bold, ambitious work without compromising accountability,” Benton concluded. “That’s not about avoiding risk, it’s about being better prepared to back the artist.”
Benton also cautioned against interpreting the review’s findings as a reason to avoid risk altogether. “I hope this doesn’t result in more conservative programming or a retreat from challenging work,” she said. “The lesson here isn’t to avoid risk, it’s to put the right measures in place so that institutions are better prepared to back the artist and respond to crises with integrity. Art isn’t meant to be safe. It’s meant to ask questions, confront ideas, and spark dialogue. That’s what makes it powerful, and that’s what public institutions must be ready to stand behind.”
Media Enquiries
Leya Reid
media@visualarts.net.au
About NAVA
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) is a Membership organisation that brings together the many voices of the contemporary arts sector to improve fundamental conditions of work and practice. We do this through advocacy, education and the Code of Practice. For further information on NAVA visit visualarts.net.au
Image credit
Portrait of Michael Dagostino (left) and Khaled Sabsabi (right). Photo by Anna Kucera. Courtesy Creative Australia.
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