Dak'Art 2026: Dakar opens its 16th Biennale on November 19

Dakar (Senegal), November 5, 2026. In two weeks, Dakar becomes the world capital of contemporary African art once again: the 16th Dak'Art Biennale opens on Thursday, November 19, 2026 and runs until December 19, in museums, galleries and cultural venues across the city.

The edition was officially launched on September 24 at the Museum of Black Civilisations. Its heart will beat at the former Palace of Justice on Cap Manuel, home of the International Exhibition, and at the National Art Gallery, on Avenue Hassan II.

"(Anti)fragilité": repair, connect, resist

The theme of this 16th edition, under the artistic direction of Morad Montazami: "(Anti)fragilité: Arts of repair and strategies of the counterblow". Artists turn fragility into strength, between care and repair.

Five threads guide the visitor: greening the former Palace of Justice, the arts of marronage, being and creating between care and repair, sharing knowledge, and connecting continents.

54 artists in the International Exhibition

The official selection brings together 54 artists in the International Exhibition — including 11 artists from Senegal — and 22 proposals in the Design section, "Les unités d'habitation Pan-Af". At the National Gallery, the tribute exhibition is dedicated to the artist Abdoulaye Niokhor Bobdit, known as "Ngoor".

DR Congo, guest of honour

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the guest country of honour, with the "4e Temps" pavilion, curated by Steve Bandoma. Alongside it: Grand Témoin Faouzi Laatiris, the carte blanche of Serigne Mbaye Camara, the Senegal Pavilion "Réenchanter le monde" by Amadou Kane Sy, and the State collection, "Trajectoires et Patrimoine", presented by Kalidou Kassé.