The Biennale de Paris works across different territories to discover, support and activate distinctive artistic potential. Each decentring grows out of an encounter between the Biennale, local actors and the questions they share. It is a way of bringing the Biennale de Paris into existence elsewhere, in dialogue with different cultural, social, economic and political contexts.
This approach contributes to transforming the model of the biennial and the artistic institution. It moves away from exporting a predetermined cultural model and from the mechanisms through which art is recognised by a few dominant centres. It seeks to create conditions in which artists and local actors can articulate their own practices, invent their own tools and develop their own models.
A decentring is therefore defined by more than its location. It takes shape through the relationships it establishes, the questions it raises and the dynamics it makes possible.
Explore the decentrings
Discover the Biennale de Paris decentrings on the map or go directly to the pages for each country.
Decentrings scheduled for 2027
- Armenia
- Belgium
- Germany
Browse by country
A biennial developed with its territory
Each decentring has its own team, partners, budget and programme. It is developed with people and organisations who know the territory: artists, researchers, associations, educational establishments, cultural institutions, local authorities, businesses and members of civil society.
The programme can take many forms: encounters, conferences, workshops, artistic actions, collective research, professional gatherings or initiatives devised specifically for the context. Depending on the possibilities and needs of the project, activities may take place in institutional, community, public, private or unexpected spaces.
The Biennale brings its experience, working methods and network. Partners help define the questions, resources and conditions for delivery. Together, they develop a proposal that responds to a particular situation rather than a model to be reproduced.
Why host a decentring?
Hosting the Biennale de Paris can be an opportunity to initiate artistic and cultural activity rooted in the realities of a territory. Depending on the objectives agreed with partners, a decentring can help to:
- Bring greater visibility to practices, ideas and initiatives;
- Support the emergence or development of a local artistic scene;
- Create spaces for research, encounters and experimentation;
- Develop collaborations between artists, researchers and people working in other fields;
- Strengthen exchanges between a territory and international networks;
- Devise new artistic, economic, educational or institutional models;
- Contribute to an art history open to a plurality of contexts and perspectives.
These effects are not automatic: they depend on the relationships built, the resources brought together and the continuity given to initiatives after the programme.
Formats adapted to each context
A decentring can take place in one city or across several locations, over a short or longer period. Its duration, programme and organisation are defined according to the project’s objectives, partners and available resources.
Four indicative formats can be adapted to each project:
Version 2
A two-day programme in one city. It can bring together encounters, conferences and one or more artistic actions.
Version 5
A five-day programme in one city. It can include an opening event, workshops, encounters, conferences and one or more artistic actions.
Version 10
A ten-day programme in one to three cities. It allows for a wider range of activities and dialogue between several venues, partners and audiences.
Version 20
A 20-day programme in one to five cities. It can combine encounters, workshops, artistic actions, professional gatherings and a research laboratory. Depending on the project, a local organisation or team can sustain the momentum beyond the event.
These formats are starting points. They can evolve to reflect the distinctive features of each proposal.
How is a decentring developed?
A decentring is prepared with the people and organisations who wish to lead it. Its implementation generally involves several stages:
- Initial encounter and conception: identify the people involved, the territory’s issues and shared intentions;
- Building the team and partnerships: define responsibilities, resources and conditions for cooperation;
- Developing the programme: determine activities, venues, participants, duration and schedule;
- Preparation: develop the budget, bring together resources, organise communication and produce the necessary documents;
- Delivery: welcome participants, carry out activities and encourage encounters;
- Review and follow-up: document the experience, share its outcomes and explore ways to continue the collaborations.
Preparation time varies with the scale of the project. As a guide, the manual recommends at least three months for an essential format, six to nine months for an expanded format and around one year for a comprehensive format.
Decentrings Manual
The Decentrings Manual presents the Biennale de Paris approach, the different forms a project can take and the stages of its preparation. It is intended for artists, collectives, institutions, local authorities and anyone considering a decentring in a city, region or country.
→ Download the Decentrings Manual (PDF, in French)
Host the Biennale de Paris
A city, institution, association, collective or local partner can propose to host the Biennale de Paris. The project is developed together, drawing on the distinctive features of the territory, the people involved and the available resources.
Tell us about your territory, your organisation and your hosting project. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.