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The fifth edition of the Kathmandu Triennale, organised by the Siddhartha Arts Foundation and the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, will occur in February 2026. It will feature more than one hundred artworks.

The Triennale will take place at numerous venues, including the Nepal Art Council, Patan Museum, and Siddhartha Art Gallery. The theme of the Kathmandu Triennale is ‘Coexistence, Kinship, and Care’.

The Australian Embassy supported and patronised previous editions of the Kathmandu Triennale. The embassy hosted a reception event to interact with potential patrons this time. One of the Artistic directors, Natalie King, is also an Australian curator.

Australian ambassador Felicity Volk says, “As we look around at a world fractured by politics, by war and heightened geopolitical tensions, by climate change and environmental devastation, we are reminded that we also need to look for the ways we are united, the ways we can work in solidarity and harmony towards a better world for all people. And so there is no more important theme than that which Kathmandu Triennale 2026 will explore: Coexistence, kinship, care.”

The event aims to promote Nepali arts and culture and establish Kathmandu as an international art hub. Artistic Directors Natalie King and Sujan Chitrakar will choose forty artists. “To a maximum of 10 Nepali artists, we will be providing an international counterpart”, says Chitrakar.

To establish a long-lasting academic and cultural exchange within the region, the Triennale also seeks to organise a Students’ Triennale amongst various art institutions and their students. Tribhuvan University, Sirjana College of Fine Arts, and Kathmandu University will engage with institutions from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and more.

The Triennale began as the pioneering Kathmandu International Art Festival (KIAF), which set critical precedents during its 2009 and 2012 editions. It explored questions about the status of women and climate change.

In 2017, the festival converted into the Triennale format, with an exhibition exploring the city as a creative locus.

The programme will not be Kathmandu-centric to magnify the influence of the Kathmandu Triennale and foster greater inclusivity. A wide array of exhibitions and workshops will be conducted concurrently as satellite events that span beyond the valley.

“It will be a global platform for Nepali artists to connect with international artists and stakeholders. I hope it will help recognise Nepal in the global map”, adds Chitrakar.