Entertainment · Books & Arts · 3 hrs ago
U.S. Pavilion faces $1 million shortfall to ship sculptures home
The U.S. Pavilion’s nonprofit is about $1 million short of the money needed to cover the exhibition’s costs.
The pavilion at the Venice Biennale in Italy features large stone and metal sculptures by American artist Alma Allen.
The American Arts Conservancy has raised $1.4 million against a projected budget of just under $2.5 million.
It needs funding to dismantle the show and ship the sculptures home, as well as cover other costs.
The Biennale is due to close next month, but the pavilion has no storage space and the building’s owner, the Guggenheim Foundation, cannot store the works.
Commissioner Jenni Parido is seeking donations, while what happens if the money is not raised remains unclear.
The State Department provided a $375,000 grant, but said it was not involved in fundraising.
The American Arts Conservancy is about $1 million short of the money needed to cover costs for the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
The shortfall means it lacks funds to dismantle the exhibition, store its sculptures or ship them back to the United States.
The pavilion’s commissioner, Jenni Parido, is seeking donations as the Biennale is due to close next month.
The nonprofit has raised $1.4 million against a projected budget of just under $2.5 million.
- Who
- The American Arts Conservancy, which runs the U.S. Pavilion, and its commissioner, Jenni Parido.
- What
- The nonprofit is about $1 million short of covering the exhibition’s costs, including returning the sculptures to the United States.
- When
- The funding shortfall was reported on October 29, 2026. The Biennale is due to close next month.
- Where
- The U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in Italy.
- Why
- The nonprofit has raised less than its projected budget, leaving it without enough money to dismantle, store and ship the artworks.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Parido held a party during Art Basel Miami Beach and a dinner at Mar-a-Lago as part of fundraising efforts.
The funding shortfall was reported, with the Biennale due to close next month.
- Shortfall
- About $1 million
- Funds raised
- $1.4 million
- Projected budget
- Just under $2.5 million
- State Department grant
- $375,000
- Biennale location
- Venice, Italy
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What people are saying
While we have accomplished a tremendous amount in a relatively short period, the final phase of this undertaking has presented financial challenges that I am working tirelessly to resolve.
This is crazy.