Iconic Artist Marina Abramović to be Honored at amfAR Venezia During Venice Film Festival

Marina Abramović Approved Photo

New York, NY, June 15, 2026 — amfAR will return to Italy on Sunday, September 6, 2026, for its sixth annual amfAR Venezia benefit gala, during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival to raise funds for its lifesaving HIV research and mission to improve global health. Renowned conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović will be honored with the amfAR Award of Inspiration.

Since the beginning of her career in the early 1970s, Abramović has pioneered performance as a visual art form. She created some of the most important early works in this practice and was one of the first performance artists to become formally accepted by the institutional museum world. Abramović was awarded the Golden Lion Award for Best Artist at the 1997 Venice Biennale and was also named one of The 100 Most Influential People by TIME Magazine in 2014.

“It is an honor to recognize the humanitarian impact of Marina Abramović’s work and philanthropy in Venice this year,” said amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford. “Her groundbreaking artistry and dedication to people living with HIV/AIDS are an inspiration to us all.”

The black-tie gala dinner will take place at the Molino Stucky Venice, and feature special musical performances and a live auction of contemporary artworks and one-of-a-kind experiences.

amfAR has a long association with Italy, hosting events in Venice and Milan through the years. Recent amfAR Venezia honorees have included Antonio Banderas, Richard Gere, Ava DuVernay, Ferzan Özpetek, Achille Boroli, Mohammed Al Turki, and, most recently, Julian Schnabel.

World Gold Council is the Presenting Sponsor of amfAR Venezia. Chopard is the evening’s Signature Sponsor, and Variety is the event’s Media Partner.

About amfAR
amfAR is a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and transforming global health with a primary and enduring commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Serving as a catalyst for breakthrough science, amfAR supports innovative research in areas where viruses and the immune system play a defining role, including cancer, neurological conditions, autoimmune disorders, and other viral diseases. Through strategic investments, global research partnerships, and evidence-based policy leadership, amfAR helps accelerate discoveries that improve health and save lives. Since 1985, amfAR has raised more than $950 million and awarded in excess of 3,900 grants to scientists worldwide.

Please visit https://www.amfar.org/venezia for tickets and tables

Contact: Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Senior Director, Communications, bennah.serfaty@amfar.org

Credential Requests: melisa.rubenstein@amfar.org

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