XIII Valparaiso International Arts Biennial Open Call

The Municipality of Valparaiso has officially opened the public call to take part in the XIII Valparaiso International Arts Biennial (BIAV), one of Chile's most emblematic visual arts gatherings and one of the most significant cultural initiatives led by a local government. The call is open between June 15 and August 23, 2026 and is directed at artists from across Chile as well as foreign residents in the country.

Up to 100 works will be selected to form part of the biennial's programming, positioning Valparaiso once again as a meeting point for contemporary creation, critical thought, and dialogue between art, territory, and citizenship. The biennial will take place between October 2026 and February 2027 across cultural, heritage, and public spaces in the city.

Mayor Camila Nieto noted that the organizers want the biennial to be shared with the people of Valparaiso and visible in public space, dressing the city with art, with the first exhibitions beginning in September and running through February 2027. Rocio Douglas, executive director of the biennial, explained that the open competition is for anyone residing in Chile with an active RUT (national identification number). The 100 selected works, linked to the visual arts, will be exhibited in three city venues: the Municipal Gallery, the Baburizza Museum, and the Mercado, distributed by small, medium, and large format.

The regional culture secretary, Catalina Dib, drew comparisons to cities such as Venice and Sao Paulo, whose biennials transform their cultural life, expressing hope that sustained collaboration can bring similar long-term impact to Valparaiso. The selection process takes place during September.