Hoor Al Qasimi to head up 2026 Sydney Biennale

The Biennale of Sydney has revealed that Hoor Al Qasimi will stand at the helm of the event’s silver edition, which will take over the city in 2026. Current President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, which she founded in the United Arab Emirates in 2009, Al Qasimi has plenty of experience under her belt with arts events of this calibre.

Al Qasimi has been the Director of the Sharjah Biennial, hosted by Sharjah in the UAE, since 2002, and has served as the President of the International Biennial Association and The Africa Institute at Global Studies University, as well as Director of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. She was also the first Artistic Director of the Aichi Triennale to have been chosen from outside Japan. Al Qasimi is known for focusing on collaboration and community in her curatorial approach, as well as her global outlook.

“Sydney has a multicultural community at its core, with people from different cultures from across the world choosing and calling this vibrant city as their home”, says Al Qasimi. “I’m interested in exploring the multifaceted cultures and perspectives within this city, working with local artists and communities, as well as bringing new voices to the Biennale”.

The Biennale’s Chief Executive Officer Barbara Moore has said that “community, culture, and connection are at the core of the Biennale of Sydney, and a vital component of any vibrant cultural landscape”. “Al Qasimi’s profound dedication to fostering international artistic and cultural exchange and her visionary approach to curatorial practice make her the perfect fit to lead the artistic direction of the Biennale of Sydney. Her commitment to amplifying diverse voices and engaging with local communities aligns seamlessly with our mission to create a platform where art brings people together to connect and learn from each other in meaningful ways.”

The 25^th Biennale of Sydney will be held from 7 March to 8 June 2026.