I. Purpose
Subject to authorization by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the purpose of this Regulation is to establish an Advisory Board (“Board”) composed of experts to be consulted for opinions and recommendations in relation to the organization of the Türkiye Pavilion (“Türkiye Pavilion”) at the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia carried out by the İstanbul Kültür ve Sanat Vakfı (Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, “İKSV”), and to determine the Board’s areas of responsibility as well as its fundamental principles and procedures of work.
II. Tasks
- To make name proposals for the selection of the artist and/or curator of the Türkiye Pavilion at the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia,
- To attend the Board meetings held at certain intervals and to offer opinions and recommendations regarding the developments reported by İKSV, the artist, and the curator,
- To put forward suggestions and comments contributing to the strategies concerning the Türkiye Pavilion at the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.
III. Composition
- In order to form the Board, İKSV invites a total of five (5) members—four (4) from Türkiye and one (1) from abroad—who possess expertise in different fields of the visual arts (artist, academic, curator, art critic, etc.). The number of members may be changed when deemed necessary.
- The General Manager/Deputy General Manager, the Director of the Istanbul Biennial, the Corporate Communications Director, and the Manager of the Türkiye Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia also attend the Board meetings on behalf of İKSV.
- Each member serves a term of 2 years, corresponding to one biennial period.
- During their term of office (even if they resign from Board membership), Board members may not serve as curator or artist in the Türkiye Pavilion at the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. In order to be nominated as curator or artist, at least four (4) years must pass after the completion of their term of office.
IV. Method of Operation
- Following Meeting agendas are prepared by İKSV prior to the meeting and sent to the members. The Board convenes at least twice (2) a year upon İKSV’s invitation. İKSV may request additional meetings when it deems necessary.
- The Türkiye Pavilion exhibition shall in all cases be realized through an artist–curator collaboration. Which of the artist and/or the curator is to be selected first is determined by the Board through a process of deliberation.
- If the artist is to be selected first, each Board member shall submit in writing to İKSV, no later than one week prior to the first meeting, two artist candidates together with the reasons for proposing these candidates. İKSV compiles the information received about each proposed candidate into a presentation and shares it with the members prior to the Board meeting. For the efficiency of the meeting, it is important that Board members also bring detailed information and materials regarding the artists they propose and comply with the specified schedule.
- Upon conclusion of the deliberations, the Advisory Board proposes three artist candidates for the Türkiye Pavilion at the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia (prioritized as 1st candidate, 2nd candidate, and 3rd candidate).
- If the Curator is to be determined after the Artist, the Curator is determined by taking into consideration two proposals obtained in writing from the selected artist and the artist’s opinion, and is invited to the Türkiye Pavilion by İKSV. As a principle, priority and care shall be given to ensuring that the artist, the curator, and the entire Biennial team are citizens of the Republic of Türkiye. The Curator may not be selected from among İKSV employees or managers, and the artist and curator may not be in a commercial relationship with each other.
- The Board shall, where possible, take its decisions by unanimity; where unanimity cannot be achieved, by majority vote. Board decisions become final upon approval by the competent bodies of İKSV. When it deems necessary, İKSV may invite the Board to reconvene to deliberate on its proposals or decisions.
- Board members shall be informed by e-mail about developments concerning the Türkiye Pavilion at the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. In urgent cases requiring notification outside of meetings, information may be communicated to the Board and their opinions may be sought.
- The membership of any member who, without excuse, fails to attend two consecutive meetings terminates automatically, and, if deemed necessary by İKSV, a new member shall be invited to complete the remaining term of office.
- Each Notification of the artist and curator whose selection has been finalized and any public announcement thereof shall be made solely by İKSV.
- Confidentiality is essential in the Board’s work and meetings. Members may in no way share or disclose any information, documents, or opinions to third parties or the public regarding the Board’s work, including the artists or curators proposed, the discussions held, or the decisions taken by the Board.
- It is among the primary responsibilities of the Board members to act in compliance with the Law on the Protection of Personal Data and other legal regulations, and not to commit any personal data breach or otherwise act contrary to legal regulations; upon the end of their term of office, members are obliged to return, where necessary, and, where unnecessary, to destroy the documents obtained within the scope of the Board’s work.
- Unless a different decision is taken by İKSV, in consideration of their participation in the Board’s activities, members shall be paid, for the two-year term of office, an honorarium in the amount of 1,000 Euros for members residing abroad and an equivalent amount for those members residing in Türkiye; and an additional 1,000 Euros shall be paid to each member for Biennial travel expenses.
V. Entry Into Force
- This Regulation and any amendments hereto shall enter into force upon a resolution of the Board of Directors.