Venice beyond the Biennale: 5 exhibitions to see

The Biennale draws attention, but Venice hosts many other noteworthy shows. Below are five recommended exhibitions with their running dates and practical tips to organise your visit across galleries, foundations and historic palaces.

• Anish Kapoor — Palazzo Manfrin
  

  Dates: 6 May – 8 August 2026. A retrospective that contrasts models, projects and large-scale installations, investigating space, material and visual perception.

• Marina Abramović — Transforming Energy, Gallerie dell’Accademia
  

  Dates: 6 May – 19 October 2026. The first show at the Gallerie dedicated to a living female artist: historical performances, interactive objects and a dialogue with classical works on body and spirituality.

• Helter Skelter: Arthur Jafa and Richard Prince — Fondazione Prada
  

  Dates: 9 May – 23 November 2026. A two-person presentation exploring contemporary ready-mades through video, popular imagery and references to US pop culture.

• Picasso, Morandi, Parmiggiani — Still Lifes, Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa
  

  Dates: 7 May – 25 July 2026. Three masters in conversation around still life painting, highlighting continuities and stylistic echoes.

• Strange Rules — Palazzo Diedo
  

  Dates: 4 May – 22 November 2026. A group show focused on Protocol Art: works that use algorithms, machine learning and digital procedures as both medium and subject.

Practical tips

Plan by venue: exhibitions are spread across the city; map your route and check official opening times on institutional websites.

Tickets and bookings: buy tickets online or reserve time slots for popular shows to avoid queues.

Visiting time: many installations benefit from slow viewing—allow 1–2 hours per exhibition, especially when there are performances or interactive works.

These shows provide a broad view of contemporary practice, combining major international names, emerging digital approaches and dialogues with art history — perfect for visitors wanting to explore Venice's exhibition scene beyond the main events.