Works from US pavilion at Venice Biennale could be stuck in limbo due to fundraising shortfall
The American Arts Conservancy, the non-profit responsible for this year’s presentation in Italy, is short $1m to bring Alma Allen's giant sculptures back across the Atlantic
As the Venice Biennale nears its conclusion, the US pavilion's financial woes have come to light. The non-profit organization, American Arts Conservancy (AAC), responsible for the pavilion, has announced the need to raise $1 million for the safe return of Alma Allen's sculptures to the United States. Director Jenni Parido of AAC has reached out to donors, revealing that they have only managed to raise $1.4 million out of the required $2.5 million.
The State Department contributed its usual $375,000 grant for the pavilion, but the remaining funds are dependent on Parido's efforts as the director of a newly formed non-profit.
Despite the US pavilion being praised for its affordable budget this year, costing $5 million compared to $7 million in 2022, the AAC faces an urgent funding shortfall. The organization primarily relied on private events for fundraising, attracting donors such as fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and art collector John Phelan. However, Katy Siegel, an art historian who co-curated the 2017 US Pavilion, expressed concerns about the lack of oversight and the difficulties in storing Allen's massive sculptures in Venice.
Allen himself was unaware of the AAC's financial struggles, stating that he only received reimbursement for travel and his Airbnb, both of which were inexpensive.
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