Khaled Sabsabi reinstated as Australia's representative at 2026 Venice Biennale (updated)

The Australia Council Board of Creative Australia today released the external report into its governance, decision-making and risk management processes in relation to Australia’s participation in the 2026 Venice Biennale.    

The review, conducted by Blackhall & Pearl, examined whether the processes and governance practices that supported critical decisions were adequate, and how those processes and practices might be improved in future.  

Key insights from the Blackhall & Pearl review are:   

1. In taking its decision in February 2025, the Board exercised its judgement in accordance with its obligations under both the Creative Australia Act 2023 and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).
2. The Board and Creative Australia have obligations to stakeholders beyond the creative community, as important as that community is as a principal stakeholder. The duty to promote “the proper use and management of public resources” indicates that the broader Australian community, including its taxpayers, are another important stakeholder.
3. There was no single or predominant failure of process, governance or decision making that resulted, ultimately, in the decision to rescind the selection of the artistic team. There were, however, a series of missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities. 
4. The selection of an artistic team for a Venice Biennale is a decision of a different kind and magnitude to the bulk of Creative Australia’s decision-making meaning that more rigour is needed in the decision-making process than may be warranted, for example, in making a grant. 

Following its consideration of the Blackhall & Pearl review, the Board has accepted all the recommendations which will be implemented by Creative Australia.   

After a further analysis and risk assessment on the best path forward for 2026 the Board has decided to proceed with the original commission of the Artistic Team for Venice.     

Acting Creative Australia Board Chair Wesley Enoch said: “The Blackhall & Pearl review is emphatic. There was no single reason, cause, person or act that created the circumstances in which the Board felt compelled to decide as it did in February. Rather it was a complex series of events that created a unique set of circumstances which the Board had to address.    

The Blackhall & Pearl review has shone a valuable light on our processes, and we have learned from that and taken a path that reflects the necessary evaluations and risk analysis recommended by the Reviewers.”    

“The Board has considered and reflected deeply on all relevant issues to find a path forward. The Board is now of the view that proceeding with the Artistic Team, Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino represents the preferred outcome.”    

The Board’s decision reflects its commitment to the important principle of freedom of artistic expression, supported by a strong, transparent, and accountable governance framework.  

The decision the Board took in February has weighed heavily on many people, most particularly the artistic team and for that we are sorry. We want to be clear that the decision was not a reflection on the artistic team and their remarkable body of work.    

Creative Australia is focused on learning and strengthening as an organisation. It remains committed to supporting ambitious, challenging, and diverse artistic practice.     

Update: The head of Australia’s arts funding body has backtracked and issued an apology to two artists who were sacked as representatives to the Venice Biennale, before being reinstated in a major backflip.

Main Image: Michael Dagostino and visual artist Khaled Sabsabi have been reinstated for the Venice Biennale. Photo: HANDOUT/CREATIVE AUSTRALIA