10 Design Festivals Around the World
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At Local Peoples, we’re constantly seeking new sources of inspiration – from collaborative experiences to inspiring discussions – to better understand and relate to the world around us. Knowing where to look can be challenging at times so we’ve compiled a list of 10 exciting art and design events, spanning Sydney to Portugal, that are bound to unite innovators and inspire designers around the globe.
Toronto Biennial of Art
March–June, Canada
The Toronto Biennial of Art, held on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe peoples, is Canada’s leading visual arts event focused on contemporary art from around the world. For ten weeks, local, national, and international Biennial artists will transform Toronto with free exhibitions, performances, and educational programs.
Venice Biennale
April–November, Italy
If you find yourself in Italy, be sure to stop at one of the most notable creative exhibitions – The Venice Biennale. For more than 100 years the Biennale has embodied bold creative expression through distinct art, theatre, architecture and music exhibitions. This year, it will host an astounding 213 artists from 58 countries worldwide, including the work of Saudi Arabian artist Muhanna Shono and the ecologically engaged practice of Hong Kong based artist, Zheng Bo.
Biennale of Sydney
March–June, Sydney
The Biennale of Sydney, occurring on the lands of the Gadigal people, is the largest exhibition of its kind in Australia and presents dynamic, contemporary art from around the globe with exhibitions that, through shared artistic expression, ignite the stories of communities and cultivate meaningful connection.
NYCxDesign
May, New York
From May 10, New York City will be home to the acclaimed NYCxDESIGN – a non-profit organisation hosting a ten day design festival in the heart of New York City. Hosting an exciting program of curated events, NYCxDesign will centre sustainability, inclusivity and community-driven design to empower the city by promoting its diverse and growing creative community.
Documenta15
June–September, Germany
Starting June 17, Documenta fifteen will emerge in Kassel, Germany for 100 days to create a globally oriented and interdisciplinary art & culture platform by centering community-focused collectives from around the world. Through screenings, performances, workshops, and more, the aim of documenta fifteen will be to work towards new models of sustainability and collective sharing practices.
Design Miami/Basel
June, Switzerland
A hybrid event between Florida and Switzerland, Design Miami/Basel will return for their 16th edition of programming. The theme, Golden Age: Rooted in the Past, will reflect themes of flexibility, resilience and human adaptability, through historical and contemporary works of art from over 50 artists, including never-before-seen pieces, collectables and works from over 20 new creators.
Manifesta15
July–October, Kosovo
Manifesta15, a 100 day exhibition will instigate positive social exchange by rethinking the connection between culture and civic society. The city of Prishtina will be transformed into an instrument of civic engagement through urban interventions and an extensive program of events and workshops.
Lisbon Architecture Triennale
September–December, Portugal
How are design and architecture adapting to a period marked by unprecedented inequality, climate change, pandemics, and a demand to reconsider and rewrite the canon that defines them? This is just one question that Terra, this year’s theme for the Lisbon Architecture Triennale, will aim to explore. Terra’s four central exhibitions will interrogate the interconnectedness between climate change and challenges, socioeconomic and environmental inequities and how new paradigms are changing our ways of place-making.
Singapore Biennale
October–March, Singapore
The 2022 Singapore Biennale, aptly named, Natasha, will journey through dynamic terrains to invite artists, curators and community members to question pressing realities affecting humanity. Their strapline ‘Everything might seem the same, yet what it was, is now different’ questions the unfamiliar and evokes curiosity and excitement in the lead up to the exhibition launch this coming October.
DesertX
March 2023, Southern California
DesertX, hosted by The Desert Biennale, will present contemporary art exhibitions in the heart of Southern California, with the purpose of presenting site-specific installations from acclaimed artists worldwide. The guiding principle of DesertX is grounded in presenting art that encourages cultural exchange about the desert environment and Indigenous communities, with the vision to foster dialogue of ecological, spiritual and cultural themes.
