Antonio Lessa, CEO Fundação Bienal de São Paulo.
We are pleased to welcome Antonio Lessa as a newly elected member of the IBA Board, voted in during the 13th General Assembly in Sydney.
As CEO of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, Antonio brings to IBA extensive experience in institutional leadership, cultural policy, and the management of large-scale international cultural initiatives. Since joining the Foundation in 2020, he has overseen the 34th, 35th, and 36th editions of the São Paulo Bienal, one of the most influential platforms for contemporary art worldwide.
Antonio’s professional trajectory spans both the public and cultural sectors. Prior to his current role, he held senior positions within the Brazilian federal government, leading the cabinets of the Ministers of Defense and Justice, the General-Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, and the Presidential Chief of Staff Office. He later served as head of the Unit for the Preservation of Museological Heritage at the Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of the State of São Paulo, where he played a key role in the expansion and restoration of the Museu Paulista, widely known as the Museu do Ipiranga.
In addition to overseeing the São Paulo Bienal, Antonio has been responsible for coordinating Brazil’s participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale and the Venice Art Biennale, strengthening the country’s presence within global cultural networks. His work reflects a longstanding commitment to institutional development, cultural stewardship, and international exchange.
Antonio holds a degree in Law, with specializations in higher education teaching, art history, and music, as well as a master’s degree in security and defense. His interdisciplinary background and leadership experience offer valuable perspectives as IBA continues to strengthen collaboration among biennials around the world.
We look forward to working alongside Antonio as we strive to continue advancing IBA’s mission and goal to foster dialogue, exchange and cooperation among biennial makers worldwide.
