Every two years, the art world turns its attention to Venice for the Venice Biennale, the world's oldest and most prestigious international contemporary art exhibition. Since 1895, the Biennale has showcased groundbreaking artists, introduced new ideas, and shaped the direction of contemporary art across the globe.

Join us as we explore the history of this extraordinary event as well as highlights from this year’s exhibition, In Minor Keys, which focuses on slow looking and contemplation. We'll discuss how the Biennale is curated, a few stand out national pavilions, and some of the controversies surrounding this 2026 show. 

Led by Lauren Kaplan - Lauren holds a BA in History and Art History from Columbia University and a PhD in Art History from The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY). Her academic research focuses on art and architecture of the early twentieth century, with a unique focus on cross-cultural exchange between Europe and Latin America.  Lauren has taught numerous courses at Hunter College, while also leading adult programs at the Museum of Modern Art and school programs at the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum. In 2013, she founded her own business, Kaplan Art Tours, offering private tours in museums and galleries throughout New York with the goal of making art accessible to a broad public.