Whether it's for Roman architecture or the masterpieces of the Renaissance, Italy has long been a center of art and culture in Europe. This claim to fame has carried on to the present day, where new artists and masterpieces continue to emerge. One such platform for the modern avant-garde is the Venice Biennale, an international art exhibition that takes place every two years.

Established in 1895, the original focus of the Biennale was to highlight the decorative arts (e.g., ceramics and jewelry). However, by 1907, its emphasis shifted toward contemporary art and innovative styles. During the 1930s, new festivals were added, promoting dance and music alongside traditional art. It was forced to go on a 6-year hiatus during the worst of World War II and resumed in 1948. Since then, the Biennale has been a critical identifier of modern trends, promoting Pop Art with a prize to Robert Rauschenberg in 1964 and staging a protest against the regime of Augusto Pinochet with a Chile-themed exhibit in 1974. Since 1972, each new exhibition has been launched under a common theme like "Work and Behavior" or "The Myth of the Romantic Traveler."

Because of its international role, the Venice Biennale provides a global market for new artists, using a network of associated art dealers to arrange sales and investments. The Biennale has a solid working relationship with Art Basel, another international art show that runs around the same time in cities like Basel, Miami, and Hong Kong. Artists who get highlighted at the Biennale often have a good chance of showing up at Art Basel as well.

Every two years, this cultural foundation draws an audience of over 300,000 people from across the globe. The major events of the Biennale are held at a Venetian park called the Giardini, with other exhibitions taking place at the Arsenale, a collection of shipyards and warehouses.

Spaced out across several months, these events include:

* The International Art Exhibition

* The International Film Festival

* The International Architecture Exhibition

* The Festival of Contemporary Music and Theatre

* The Festival of Contemporary Dance

During the series of festivals, tourists can visit around 50 different locations in Venice to see the latest in artistic and cultural trends. Both modern public transport and the Venice Water Taxi are available for getting around the city.

You can learn more about this prestigious art show at LaBiennale.org and ArtUpdate.com.

Image by Adam Burt on Flickr