Dakar: Dakar Biennial 2026
The 16th Edition of the Biennale of Contemporary African Art
1. Dates and Venue
Biennale dates: November 19 – December 19, 2026
Host city: Dakar, Senegal
Official launch ceremony: Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
Ceremony venue: Museum of Black Civilizations, Dakar
Artistic Director: Morad Montazami
2. Event Overview
The Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art, also known as Dak’Art, will hold its 16th edition in 2026. Organized under the auspices of Senegal’s ministry responsible for culture, this international event is a major gathering for contemporary African art and artists from the African diaspora.
From November 19 to December 19, 2026, Dakar will welcome artists, curators, cultural professionals, collectors and art enthusiasts for a program dedicated to artistic creation, critical reflection and intercultural dialogue.
3. Theme and Artistic Vision
Official theme: “(Anti)Fragility: Arts of Repair and Strategies of Rebound”
Under the artistic direction of Morad Montazami, this edition explores fragility as a source of creativity, resilience and transformation. It highlights artistic practices that examine contemporary crises while proposing new approaches to solidarity, care, knowledge transmission and reconstruction.
The curatorial project is structured around five main strands: Greening the Former Palace of Justice; The Arts of Marronnage; Being and Creating Between Care and Repair; Sharing Knowledge; and Connecting Continents.
4. Artistic Selection and Program
The announced selection comprises 75 artistic proposals, including 54 for the Official International Exhibition and 21 for the Design Section. The program also features the Grand Witness, Faouzi Laatiris, and a Carte Blanche entrusted to Serigne Mbaye Camara.
Through its exhibitions and cultural initiatives, the Biennale aims to showcase emerging artistic practices, encourage professional exchange and strengthen the international visibility of African and diasporic art scenes.
5. An International Platform for Contemporary African Art
The Dakar Biennale contributes to Senegal’s cultural influence and promotes contemporary African artistic creation. It provides a meeting point for artists, institutions, cultural professionals and audiences while fostering cultural exchange and international collaboration.
Join us in Dakar from November 19 to December 19, 2026, for the 16th edition of the Biennale of Contemporary African Art.
Organizer
The Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art (Dak’Art) is a major cultural event supported by the State of Senegal and operating under the supervision of the ministry responsible for culture. Organized by the Biennale’s General Secretariat, it promotes contemporary African art and enhances its visibility, including that of artists from the African diaspora. Since its establishment in 1990, the Biennale has served as a platform for artistic expression and exchange, bringing together artists, curators, cultural professionals and art market stakeholders. Through its exhibitions, professional meetings and cultural initiatives, it fosters artistic creation, intercultural dialogue and the international circulation of artworks. It also contributes to showcasing African talent and strengthening the global visibility of the continent’s contemporary art scene. Held in Dakar, the Biennale plays an important role in the city’s cultural dynamism and in enhancing its artistic appeal on the international stage.
