Celebrating 200 Years of Art: LJMU co-hosts International Biennial assembly

Liverpool John Moores University in collaboration with Liverpool Biennial, is co-hosting the 12th General Assembly of the International Biennial Association (IBA).

This prestigious international event taking place this July, marks a significant moment as the university celebrates 200 years of the Liverpool School of Art and Design.

The IBA General Assembly coincides with the 13th edition of Liverpool Biennial: BEDROCK, and brings together leading curators, artists, and cultural professionals from around the world to discuss the future of biennials and contemporary art practice.

As part of the assembly, attendees have been hosted on LJMU campus, with the chance to explore the Liverpool Biennial taking place across the city.

LJMU graduation dinner

The university were also delighted to invite IBA attendees to the university’s Graduation Dinner in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, ahead of the university’s summer graduation ceremonies which take place WC 7 July.

The cathedral itself is hosting two internationally acclaimed artists, as part of the Liverpool Biennial, exploring themes of sanctuary, heritage, and nature, which International Biennial Association attendees were able to view as the backdrop to the dinner. 

It's been a pleasure to host attendees from across the world on campus and in our amazing city.

Joasia Krysa, LJMU

About the Liverpool Biennial BEDROCK:

Liverpool Biennial is the UK’s largest free festival of contemporary visual art. Taking place in historic buildings, unexpected spaces and art galleries, the Biennial has been transforming the city through art for over two decades. A dynamic programme of free exhibitions, performances, screenings, community and learning activities and fringe events unfolds over 14 weeks, shining a light on the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

The city’s geological foundations and its psyche have provided the starting point for the Liverpool Biennial 2025, with invited artists bringing their own definition of ‘BEDROCK’ with art installations on show across the city from 7 June to 14 September. 

Art installation on campus 

As part of the Biennial and the university’s own celebrations of 200 years of Liverpool’s School of Art & Design, LJMU is currently hosting Isabel Nolan’s outdoor work ‘Where you are, what we are, with others’ outside the John Lennon Art & Design Building as part of BEDROCK. 

Joasia Krysa, Professor of Exhibition Research and Head of Art and Design at LJMU said:

“We’ve been delighted to co-host the International Biennial Association General Assembly, alongside Liverpool Biennial, during such a milestone year for the university, as we celebrate 200 years of our School of Art and Design. With origins tracing back to 1825, our school of art is the oldest in England outside of London and it was pleasure to host attendees from across the world on campus and in our amazing city, as they discuss the future of biennials and art practice.”

Find out more

Find out more about the Liverpool Biennial.

Find out more about the International Biennial Association.

Find out more about the Liverpool School of Art and Design.