VV Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 Visitors Programme, taking place on May 25-27, 2026 in Riga, Latvia.

Our annual  Visitors Programme is designed to introduce a selection of invited international art professionals, gallerists, curators, art critics, and journalists to the Latvian contemporary art scene. Through curated visits to artists’ studios, galleries, museums, and artist-run spaces, the programme aims to foster the exchange of ideas and creative perspectives, support artistic experimentation, and build lasting professional connections – strengthening Latvia’s presence and recognition in the international art world.

In addition to organising guided visits for specially invited art professionals, VV Foundation also provides information about Latvian artists, institutions, and current developments upon request to researchers and other interested parties. The programme is fully funded by VV Foundation, demonstrating its strategic commitment to strengthening the international visibility and professional growth of Latvian contemporary art. Visitors Programme promotes international cultural dialogue, the exchange of knowledge, and reinforces Riga’s position as a prominent centre for contemporary art in the European context. As a result of this initiative, new connections are established between Latvian and international professionals, opportunities are created for our artists to participate in international projects, and the city’s visibility is enhanced in the fields of cultural tourism and the creative industries.

This season, VV Foundation is pleased to welcome eight international art professionals to Riga:

Geir Haraldseth – Curator of Contemporary Art at The National Museum of Norway. He is currently the chair of The Norwegian Art Yearbook (from 2021) and is part of the board of the National Museum. He has served as part of the Arts Council Norway (2014-2018), chairing the expert committee for Visual Arts and as part of the Office for Contemporary Art’s International Jury (2020-2022).

Giovanni Carmine – Curator, director of the Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen. Previously, he was the artistic coordinator of the 54th Venice Biennale, and curated the Swiss Pavilion of the 55th edition of the Biennial. He is the president of the Swiss Federal Art Commission and a board member of the Istituto Svizzera.

Catherine Nichols – Arts and literary scholar, curator, writer, curator at Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart. Previously, Nichols curated the European Nomadic Biennial Manifesta 14 Prishtina (2022), co-led Beuys 2021: 100 Jahre Joseph Beuys, a critical enquiry into the legacy of German artist Joseph Beuys, alongside Eugen Blume. In 2026, she will curate the 18th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art. 

Kirsten Landwehr – Curator, ceramicist, hotelier. She is known for her work with textured stoneware, as well as her involvement in Berlin’s art and hospitality scenes. She co-founded the Galerie für Moderne Fotografie and the Château Royal hotel, formerly working as a stylist and collaborating with her husband, restaurateur Stephan Landwehr.

Aaron Cezar – Founding director of Delfina Foundation. He curates and develops the Foundation’s interrelated program of residencies, exhibitions, and public platforms. Cezar has curated external exhibitions and performances at Hayward Gallery Project Space, SongEun Artspace, and as part of the official public program of the 58th Venice Art Biennale. He is a strategic advisor to SAHA, the Asymmetry Art Foundation, and the Kunsthalle Praha.

Yana Foque – Curator, editor, and writer,  Artistic Director Grazer Kunstverein. Until recently, she was Executive Director & Chief Curator at Kunstverein (Amsterdam) where she shaped its experimental program and publishing arm.

Illari Laamanen – Curator, editor, and organiser focusing on contemporary art and interdisciplinary projects. Through his interdisciplinary projects he explores, questions and expands modes of communication and perception in a technologically driven world.

Marti Manen – Curator and art writer, director of Index – The Swedish Contemporary Art Foundation. Manen is also directing CuratorLab, the curatorial course at Konstfack University in Stockholm. Manen was the curator of the Spanish Pavilion at the 2015 Venice Biennale, and curated Momentum10 (Biennale in Moss, Norway, 2019).