The Board of Trustees of the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) has appointed former Kerala Chief Secretary, Dr. V Venu (Retd. IAS: 1990: KL), as its new Chairperson, effective from September 21. Venu, who will serve in this role on an honorary basis, brings decades of experience in the arts and culture sector, having held leadership roles in both the Kerala government and the Government of India.
Throughout his career, Dr. Venu has played a significant role in promoting art and tourism. He served as the Director of Tourism and Secretary of the Tourism Ministry in Kerala, later becoming the state’s Chief Secretary. While on deputation to the Centre, he worked as the Director General of the National Museum in New Delhi. Dr. Venu has been closely involved with the KBF since its inception in 2012 and was instrumental in fostering a partnership between the Foundation and the Kerala government. He is also credited with establishing and curating the ‘Keralam’ museum.
