The Venice Biennial
One of the worlds oldest and leading institutions of organizing and exhibiting contemporary art. The biennial was founded in 1895, focused primarily on visual arts. Expanded with the Festival of Music in 1930, the International Film Festival in 1932, the International Theatre Festival in 1934 and an international exhibition of architecture in 1975.
Defined by law by the Italian government as an organization of national importance in 1998. Suspended from 1968 until 1973 because of political upheaval, making the 2001 exhibition the 48th in the row.