CREATIVE AUS - Venice Biennale

Question

1. In relation to Project A (The Australian Pavilion) and Australian government funding of Project B (Minor Keys), please provide: a. the line item costs including travel, accommodation, vendor costs, project management, artist fees and grants, external staff/consultant/casuals costs and any other cost categories b. unredacted procurement details of all vendors including consultants c. the names of staff engaged by vendors to work on or attend the Venice Biennale. 2. In relation to Mr Sabsabi and Mr Dagostino's original selection announced in Feb 2025: a. who were the panelists/assessors b. who was involved in the selection of the panelists/assessors c. whose approval was needed within Creative Australia for the appointment of Mr Sabsabi and Mr Degastino? 3. Can Creative Australia provide synopses of: a. the original submission chosen in February 2025 b. submissions of the other finalists? 4. Did anyone involved in the first Sabsabi/Dagastino submission for the Venice Biennale announced in February 2025 recuse themselves from that process due to a conflict of interests: if so, who and on what grounds? 5. Did former Creative Australia Visual Arts head Mikala Tai have any role in the selection of Mr Sabsabi and Mr Degastino: if so, what role? 6. In what capacity was former Creative Australia Visual Arts head Mikala Tai at the opening of the Australian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale? Was she paid directly or indirectly by Creative Australia? Were her travel costs paid for by Creative Australia? 7. Is there a difference between the submission on which Mr Sabsabi was selected for the Venice Biennale in February 2025 and the final submission which went ahead at the 2026 Venice Biennale? Please provide copies of both submissions. 8. Can Creative Australia provide photographs, videos, artist's statements and publicity material for Mr Sabsabi's 2026 Australian Pavilion? 9. Were there any words on the artwork by Mr Sabsabi in the 2026 Australian Pavilion: if so, what were they, including any English translation? 10. Is Creative Australia able to provide videos of speeches at: a. the opening of the Australian Pavilion b. the official dinner for the opening of the Australian Pavillion c. any other events paid for by Creative Australia and/or involving staff/contractors or vendors of Creative Australia who were in Venice for the opening? 11. Is Creative Australia aware of whether Mr Sabsabi and Mr Dagastino received any remuneration for their inclusion in the second Pavilion in the Minor Keys exhibition: if so, what remuneration? 12. What was the final cost of the Australian Pavilion in the two previous Venice Biennales? 13. How much was paid to a) Mr Sabsabi and b) Mr Dagastino in relation to: i. their original selection for the Venice Biennale announced on February 2025 ii. any compensation for that appointment being terminated iii. their second appointment made in mid 2025 iv. any exhibition of their Venice artwork in Australia? What total payment has each received? 14. Is Creative Australia aware of whether any of the following were hired and/or paid directly or via a third party for the Venice Biennale 2026 from Creative Australia government funding? If they were paid directly, how much were they paid, along with any travel costs? a. former Creative Australia visual arts head Mikala Tai b. artist Abdul Abdallah c. artist Marian Abboud 15. Can Creative Australia provide all unredacted documents and/or communications with Mr Sabsabi and Mr Degastino or their representatives with regard to funding via the International Cultural Diplomacy Art fund and/or additional funding for their second exhibition 'Khalil'? 16. In relation to the $255,640 ''management services'' contract between Creative Australia and the Milani Gallery from approximately 22/10/2025 to 1/12/2026: a. what services were provided b. did Creative Australia separately pay travel costs or fees for Josh Milani or anyone hired by Milani Gallery to go to the Venice Biennale: if so, who, and were any there any other costs incurred? 17. Please provide the final amounts and/or confirmed amounts to date of money raised via fundraising to offset the costs paid by the Australian Government for Australia's participation in the Venice Biennale via the Australian Cultural Fund or any other fund. How exactly are those funds being used to offset the costs? Are they being transferred to Creative Australia? 18. What were the performance fees and travel costs of the singers who were brought to the Venice Biennale for the opening of the Australian Pavilion? How many performances did they give in Venice? Please provide the name of each performer? 19. Please provide the name of each person who Creative Australia paid for to attend the Venice Biennale with a breakdown of each person's costs including the cost of airfares, accommodation, food and alcohol, and other allowances or payments.

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000861.pdf (opens in a new tab)