The Malta Biennale is back in 2026

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Malta is preparing to reclaim the spotlight on the international art scene as the Malta Biennale returns in 2026. The second edition of the biennial will once again transform the island into a living gallery, where ancient history serves as the backdrop for global contemporary art.

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Organised by Visit Malta and supported by the Ministry for National Heritage, the event is rapidly establishing itself as one of the Mediterranean’s most ambitious cultural gatherings. For 2026, the curatorial team has selected 47 projects from a remarkably diverse pool of over 3,200 submissions originating from 122 countries — a testament to the global interest the biennale now commands.

Minister Owen Bonnici. Photo by Visit Malta

–The second edition builds on the solid groundwork of the first. Its success shows our commitment to contemporary art and our dedication to promoting Maltese creatives on the international stage, Malta´s Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, highlighted how the biennale is strengthening Malta’s international cultural profile:

The inaugural edition received recognition from UNESCO, elevating Malta’s cultural standing and cementing the biennale as a meaningful new player in the global arts calendar. The 2026 edition continues this trajectory, situating new artistic voices within spaces that span thousands of years of history.

Exhibitions and installations will unfold inside Baroque palaces, Knights-era fortresses, public squares, vaulted galleries, and museums across Valletta, Birgu, and beyond.

The curatorial approach balances Maltese talent with international perspectives, giving emerging voices a stage while encouraging collaborations that reflect Malta’s identity as a crossroads between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Only launched in 2024, the biennale has quickly grown into one of Europe’s most intriguing young art events.

The short version

The second Malta Biennale, titled CLEAN | CLEAR | CUT, will take place from March 11 to May 29, 2026, across various historical sites in Malta and Gozo. Rosa Martínez is the Artistic Director, and the event will feature contemporary art intertwined with Malta's rich cultural heritage. Events will be hosted in venues like the Malta Maritime Museum, The Grandmaster's Palace, and prehistoric sites. The Biennale aims to create dialogues between history and contemporary art, featuring both local and international artists.