The Italian curator Cecilia Alemani has been appointed artistic director of the 59th Venice Biennale, the world’s most prestigious biennial, which takes place next year (dates to be announced). Alemani is chief curator of High Line art in New York, working with artists such as Nari Ward and El Anatsui, and also curated the Italian Pavilion at the 2017 Venice Biennale.

Late 2018, she also oversaw Hopscotch/(Rayuela), the Art Basel cities initiative in Buenos Aires comprising site-specific works, installations and live performances by 18 artists across three neighbourhoods. Alemani says in a statement: “As the first Italian woman to hold this position, I understand and appreciate the responsibility and also the opportunity offered to me.”