Liverpool Biennial 2006 – a 10-week festival of the visual arts – is now fully underway, with the city’s main galleries playing host to works by some of the world’s most innovative artists.

Tate Liverpool, Bluecoat Arts Centre, FACT (Foundation for Art & Creative Technology) and Open Eye Gallery have collaborated to host an exhibition called International 06, which includes 35 new commissions, half of which will be sited in public places.

The 2004 festival received 350,000 visitors, including 41 per cent from outside the Merseyside region -– 10 per cent of whom were from overseas.

The event created an additional £8.3m spend in the city, won the Northwest regional title Best Tourism Event and was shortlisted by VisitBritain for the accolade Best Tourism Experience in the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence.

Established in 1998, Liverpool Biennial contributed significantly to the award of the title European Capital of Culture 2008 to the city of Liverpool.

The festival is funded by Arts Council England, North West Development Agency, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Culture Company and the National Lottery. Details: www.biennial.com

Photograph: Untitled 8-metre interactive video projection and sound artwork by Shilpa Gupta at FACT