Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art

The theme of the 2026 Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale 

Entitled ‘To pass from one dream to another’, this edition's theme draws heavily on a distinctive feature of Lyon’s architecture: the traboules. Just as these passageways connect one street to another, the organisers aim to create links between the artworks.

This edition will also focus on Oceania, the continent of origin of the Biennale's curator, Catherine Nichols. One third of the artists featured at the Biennale will be from Australia, New Zealand, and the surrounding islands. Furthermore, this edition gives pride of place to women, who make up the majority of the invited artists.

Taking inspiration from the 'Principles of Poetic Economy' conceptualised by artist Robert Filliou, the Biennale's curator has chosen to explore three sub-themes: the existential at the Mac, the industrial at the Grandes Locos and the relational at the Musée des Tissus.   

The main venues of the Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale

This year, 10 venues will host the Biennale’s artworks and exhibitions. Starting with the main venues: Les Grandes Locos, the former SNCF technical centre at La Mulatière; the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) opposite the Parc de la Tête d’Or; the Institute of Contemporary Art (IAC) in Villeurbanne; and the Bullukian Foundation, just a stone’s throw from Place Bellecour. 

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ADAGP, Paris, 2024 © Blandine Soulage

A major new feature of the 2026 edition is that the Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs (Museum of Textiles and Decorative Arts), located in the heart of the Presqu’Île district and closed for the past nine years, will open its doors exceptionally to host a history-related exhibition. Another new feature is that the Musée des Confluences will host an installation engaging with its permanent exhibition, 'Societies: The Theatre of Mankind”.

The Cour des Voraces in the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon (Fine art museum) garden, the LPA Saint-Antoine car park on the quay of the same name and the Part-Dieu metro station (line B) will also be part of the festivities. 

Résonance Artistic vitality in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region

The momentum generated by these months of exploration at the heart of contemporary art extends beyond Lyon's borders to encompass the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Over 300 exhibitions, private viewings and independent events are being organised, many of which are taking place in the Lyon metropolitan area.