European Union cuts $2.3m from Venice Biennale over Russia's participation

The European Union has followed through on a months-long threat to defund the Venice Biennale over Russia's return as a participant. According to Artnet News, the bloc explained that taxpayer money should support cultural events that uphold democratic values and freedom of expression. The withdrawal represents a significant financial blow to one of the art world's most prestigious gatherings, held biennially in the Venetian lagoon.

The decision marks an escalation in the tension between major international funding bodies and the Biennale's curatorial independence. The New York Times reported that European authorities had warned organisers for months that funding would be at risk if Russia participated. The Biennale, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and serves as a major platform for contemporary art, now faces questions about how it will manage the financial shortfall and whether other funders might follow the EU's lead.