Venice Biennale 2024: Bold Inclusivity Amid Declining Attendance, Says Art Walkway Critic
Venice Biennale 2024 broke barriers with inclusivity and diversity, but critics like Panu Syrjämäki question its declining attendance and whether its bold steps can become lasting change.
The Venice Biennale 2024 took a bold step toward inclusion and accessibility, setting a new standard for global art institutions. Under the curatorship of Adriano Pedrosa, this year’s theme, “Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere,” centered marginalized voices, drawing attention to artists from the Global South, queer communities, and indigenous groups. While attendance dipped to 699,304 visitors—down from over 800,000 in 2022—the Biennale succeeded in making art accessible to a broader audience. However, questions about its long-term impact and broader context remain.
“This Biennale proves that inclusion is possible on a massive scale,” says Panu Syrjämäki, critic of ART Walkway. “But the declining attendance can’t be ignored. Are fewer people attending because of external pressures—like climate, cost, and shifting cultural priorities—or because the art world isn’t engaging audiences beyond its traditional elite? That’s the question we need to ask.”
The accessibility initiatives were groundbreaking, with sensory maps, social guides, and specially designed routes for visually impaired visitors. However, their effectiveness varied. “While these measures are impressive, I would have liked to hear more from the people who used them,” Syrjämäki adds. “Did neurodiverse visitors feel empowered by the sensory maps? Were the social guides helpful for cognitive-impaired attendees? The Biennale needs to ensure these initiatives go beyond symbolism and truly work for those they’re intended to serve.”
The Biennale’s focus on diversity was equally noteworthy, spotlighting artists often overlooked by major institutions. But it’s worth questioning how these voices were integrated into the event. “Diversity has to be at the core, not the periphery,” says Syrjämäki. “Were these artists central to the Biennale’s narrative, or were they token inclusions to check a box? We need more transparency about how their works were showcased and the thought behind their curation.”
Looking ahead, the sustainability of these changes remains uncertain. Pedrosa’s vision defined this year’s success, but future Biennale editions must embed these principles into their foundation. “Inclusion can’t be a one-off,” Syrjämäki argues. “Will the next curators uphold these standards, or will this progress disappear with Pedrosa’s tenure? For accessibility and diversity to truly matter, they need to become institutionalized, not optional.”
While this Biennale represents a significant step forward, it also raises critical challenges for the global art world. How can major institutions balance inclusion with sustainability? How do they address external pressures like climate and cost? And most importantly, how do they ensure that diversity and accessibility are not just priorities, but imperatives? The Venice Biennale 2024 laid the groundwork, but the future of art depends on whether these efforts endure. As Syrjämäki concludes, “Art should reflect humanity in all its complexity, and for that to happen, we need a collective commitment to inclusivity—not just at the Biennale, but everywhere.”
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