Inspired by the unique histories of Hawai‘i, a gathering place for diverse peoples and ideas, Hawai‘i Contemporary connects communities from across our islands and regions united by the Pacific Ocean and beyond. As a collaborative art partner, we cultivate cultural alliances to showcase the Hawaiʻi Triennial every three years and to celebrate contemporary art and ideas. The multi-site public exhibition is complemented by year-round public and education programs contributing to the local arts ecosystem and affirming our commitment to creating an accessible gateway for contemporary art in Hawai‘i nei.

Since inception Hawaiʻi Contemporary’s founders identified and instilled the values of accessibility, collaboration and inclusivity into its guiding mission. We aim to create an open exchange between the various community stakeholders and centering artists and creatives at the core of what we do, fostering a thriving visual arts and educational ecosystem that has the ability to inspire current and future generations.

Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization in 2014, the Honolulu Biennial Foundation debuted the inaugural Honolulu Biennial in 2017 as a dedicated contemporary art platform in Hawaiʻi. The successful biennials presented in 2017 and 2019 gained international recognition and respectively welcomed over 100,000 guests from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region, as well as visitors from around the world. In 2020, the organization announced the transformation of its signature event into a triennial format and was renamed Hawaiʻi Contemporary. Looking to the future, Hawai‘i Contemporary continues to build upon this foundation to create inspirational and sustainable exchanges, connecting Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and beyond through contemporary art.

Source: hawaiicontemporary.org