Creative Australia releases external review into its decision process for 2026 Venice Biennale

Following the reinstatement  of renowned Lebanese Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi as Australia's representative at the 2026 Venice Biennale - almost six months after he was dumped by the board of Australia's arts funding body, Creative Australia - the Australia Council Board of Creative Australia has released the external report into its governance, decision-making and risk management processes in relation to Australia’s participation in the 2026 Venice Biennale.

In February 2025, Sabsabi's commission for the prestigious art event was announced but, just a week later, he - and curator Michael Dagostino - had their invitation rescinded, with the board citing fears of a "prolonged and divisive debate".

The review of Creative Australia ‘s decision-making processes conducted by Blackhall & Pearl 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.

After months of outcry and several prominent resignations from Creative Australia, the decision to dump Khaled Sabsabi has now been reversed.

Acting Creative Australia Board Chair Wesley Enoch noted “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.”

In April, Sabsabi told ABC Arts the two artworks that triggered Creative Australia's decision - raised first in the media and later in parliament - were "grossly misrepresented".

On their reinstatement, Sabsabi and Dagostino shared "this decision has renewed our confidence in Creative Australia and in the integrity of its selection process.”

Creative Australia Chief Executive Adrian Collette advised “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 are also sorry that this has caused concern and uncertainty for many in the broader arts community and we are committed to rebuilding trust in our processes for the commissioning of the Venice Biennale.    
“As the external review highlights, Creative Australia’s commissioning of an artistic team to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale stands apart from our grant decision-making processes. It is important to reiterate our commitment to our independent expert led peer assessment and industry advice models.  
“Our focus is now on moving forward constructively with the Artistic Team. 
“Creative Australia is focused on learning and strengthening as an organisation. It remains committed to supporting ambitious, challenging, and diverse artistic practice.  

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.

Image. Khaled Sabsabi (left) with Michael Dagostino