The sixtieth Venice Biennale, titled “Foreigners Everywhere” and curated by Adriano Pedrosa, concluded on November 24, 2024, setting the stage for another record-breaking milestone. Over its impressive 219-day run, the prestigious art exhibition attracted 699,304 attendees, marking the second-highest attendance in its 129-year history. While slightly below the 2022 record of over 800,000 visitors, this figure surpasses the 2019 total of 600,000, affirming the Biennale’s enduring global allure and relevance in the post-pandemic era.

Venice Biennale Audiences

Building on its appeal to younger demographics, 30 percent of attendees were under twenty-six, while 59 percent hailed from outside Italy, cementing the event’s international significance. Additionally, participation in guided tours and educational activities surged by 150 percent, with accessibility programs seeing a 67 percent rise. These initiatives highlight the Biennale’s commitment to inclusivity, engaging diverse audiences, including those facing mental health challenges, housing instability, and addiction recovery.

Art as a Universal Connector

Reflecting on the event’s success, Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco remarked, “In these challenging times for the world, art reminds us that everything is polemos—a dialogue of cultures, viewpoints, past, and future. It teaches us that in the crossing of worlds, we are united by our common appreciation of art and our shared evolution of beauty.”

The sixtieth edition followed the unprecedented seven-month run of the 2022 Biennale, curated by Cecilia Alemani, which set new attendance benchmarks. This year’s extended timeline of 219 days reinforced the Biennale’s ability to adapt and thrive post-pandemic, drawing a vibrant global audience interested in the intersections of art and culture, identity, and inclusivity.

With its continued emphasis on dialogue, accessibility, and artistic excellence, the Venice Biennale remains a cornerstone of the contemporary art world, inspiring audiences to explore art, identity, and belonging in ever-evolving ways.