The Venice Biennale was founded in 1895 and has been held biannually ever since. The exhibition is one of the most important international platforms for contemporary art. 

Icelandic artists took part in the Venice Biennale on and off between 1960-1984. From 1984 and onwards, Iceland has presented its own national pavilion at The Biennale. From 1984 until 2005 the Icelandic Pavilion was housed at Alvar Aalto´s Finnish Pavilion. From 2007 the pavilion has been housed in different venues around Venice.

The Icelandic Art Center is the commissioner for the Icelandic Pavilion.