The Liverpool Biennial has announced Marie-Anne McQuay as the Curator for its 13th edition, set to run from June 7 to September 14, 2025. McQuay, Director of Projects at Arts&Heritage, will take the helm in curating the UK’s largest festival of contemporary visual art, returning to her current role after the Biennial concludes in Autumn 2025.
Expressing her honour, Marie-Anne McQuay shares her excitement about curating for the city she calls home, stating, “I feel honoured to be curating the 13th edition of Liverpool Biennial with and for the city where I live. This city has nurtured my passion for the arts, and I am thrilled to give back by contributing to its vibrant art scene. I look forward to reflecting on civic life, researching international exchanges, and collaborating with the wider team on Liverpool Biennial 2025.”
Dr Samantha Lackey, Director of Liverpool Biennial, echoes the excitement, welcoming McQuay to the team and highlighting her longstanding relationship with Liverpool. Lackey anticipates that McQuay’s insights will reshape the city’s connections with the rest of the world in the upcoming festival.
The 12th edition of the Liverpool Biennial, titled ‘uMoya: The Sacred Return of Lost Things,’ and curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa, occurred from June 10 to September 17, 2023. For an independent evaluation of LB2023, interested readers can refer to the comprehensive report on the official website.
Liverpool Biennial enjoys support from Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council, and founding supporter James Moor.
About Marie-Anne McQuay, the Curator of Liverpool Biennial 2025, her impressive portfolio includes serving as Head of Programme at the Bluecoat, Liverpool, where she curated exhibitions featuring renowned artists such as Larissa Sansour, Adham Faramawy, and Suki Chan. McQuay’s international engagement includes her role as Guest International Curator for Wales in Venice 2019.
Dr Samantha Lackey, Director of Liverpool Biennial since late 2021, brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Head of Collection and Exhibitions at the Whitworth, University of Manchester. Lackey’s background in academia, including a PhD focused on surrealism, positions her as a knowledgeable leader for the Biennial.
Established in 1998, Liverpool Biennial is the UK’s largest free contemporary visual arts festival and the country’s inaugural Biennial. Over the years, the Biennial has commissioned an impressive 392 artworks, presented works by over 560 leading artists, and played a pivotal role in community engagement through collaborative neighbourhood projects. The festival’s permanent public artworks, including pieces by Eleng Luluan and Rudy Loewe, underscore its lasting impact on Liverpool’s cultural landscape, enriching the city’s artistic heritage and making it a beacon of contemporary visual arts.