WHAT IS HAWAI‘I CONTEMPORARY?

Hawai‘i Contemporary is a nonprofit visual arts organization based in Honolulu focused on iterative exhibition-making with community and institutional partners, providing access to contemporary art and bolstering the arts ecosystem through ongoing programs and professional development. We are not a museum or art gallery. Some have confused us with the now defunct The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, which was located at Spalding House in Makiki Heights. However, we do not have a physical location that’s open to the public, and we do not have, collect, or care for any collections of art on an ongoing basis.

WHAT IS THE HAWAI‘I TRIENNIAL?

Hawai‘i Triennial is an exhibition of contemporary visual art from Hawai‘i, the Pacific, Asia, and around the world. The exhibition is held every three years across multiple sites (like museums, galleries, gardens, etc.) in Hawai‘i. For each Triennial, Hawai‘i Contemporary and its Board and selection committee select a curatorial team to direct and curate the Hawai‘i Triennial. The next Hawai‘i Triennial, the fourth iteration of the exhibition, is planned for 15 February – 04 May 2025.

WHY DID HONOLULU BIENNIAL BECOME HAWAI‘I TRIENNIAL?

Established as a 501(c)(3) in 2015, Honolulu Biennial Foundation presented Honolulu Biennial 2017 and Honolulu Biennial 2019. In 2020, we shifted our signature event to a triennial format and changed our name to Hawai‘i Contemporary to better reflect our mission to engage with all of Hawai‘i. The shift to a three-year cycle not only affords us more time to plan the Triennial, it also allows us to offer year-round, arts-related public programming, including Art Summit (every three years) and professional development programs (every year).

IS THERE AN OPEN CALL FOR THE HAWAI‘I TRIENNIAL?

No, there is no open call for the Hawai‘i Triennial. Artists are invited to participate by Triennial curators, who conduct numerous studio visits and have ongoing conversations with potential artists ahead of the exhibition. While Hawai‘i Contemporary works closely with the Triennial curators on planning and logistics, we do not make artist or artwork selections. Furthermore, our small staff is not able to accept, review, or provide feedback on artist portfolios. We thank you for your understanding.

WHY ISNʻT THE HAWAI‘I TRIENNIAL COMPOSED OF ONLY HAWAI‘I ARTISTS?

Since our founding, Hawai‘i Contemporary has endeavored to connect Hawai‘i to the Pacific and the world through contemporary art. Integral to our mission is our ability to hold space for artists to engage with local/global dialogues through their work. With this in mind, each iteration of the Hawai‘i Triennial (and the Honolulu Biennial before it) features Hawai‘i-based artists whose work is exhibited alongside their Pacific and international counterparts.

HOW ARE CURATORS FOR THE TRIENNIAL SELECTED? 

Curators for each Triennial are selected by Hawai‘i Contemporary and its Board of Directors in collaboration with a selection committee composed of advisors and curators associated with the organization. An open call for nominations is made, which is reviewed by Hawai‘i Contemporary, its Board, and the selection committee. The result is a short list of curators who are invited to present a curatorial proposal. After a period of review and conversations, Hawai‘i Contemporary, its Board, and the selection committee then make final selections for the Triennial. 

HOW ARE TRIENNIAL VENUES SELECTED?

Sites of exhibition are determined by the curators of the Triennial in collaboration with Hawai‘i Contemporary. In everything we do, we endeavor collaboratively with a network of amazing partners in the visual arts and culture community. Their collective enduring support of the Hawai‘i Triennial is vital in realizing the exhibition. 

IS HAWAI‘I CONTEMPORARY CONNECTED TO OTHER BIENNIALS/TRIENNIALS?

Hawai‘i Triennial resides in the pantheon of art biennials and triennials around the world. Since 2020, Hawai‘i Contemporary has been a member of the Ennials Alliance, a cohort of presenters of biennials and triennials in North America. The Ennials Alliance has allowed us to connect, share knowledge, and develop best practices in our work. 

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED WITH HAWAI‘I CONTEMPORARY?

Our work wouldn’t be possible without our community of generous volunteers. Usually, our greatest need is in the run-up to and during the Hawai‘i Triennial (January – May 2025). If you’re interested, please get in touch with Monica Lee at monica@hawaiicontemporary.org for upcoming opportunities.

If you’d like to support what we do with an online donation, we welcome your contribution.