In addition, Bedford was selected by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to commission the artist and works that will represent the U.S. at the 2017 Venice Biennale, an international art show. At the Biennale, Bedford will present an installation of new work by Mark Bradford, his close friend and arguably the hottest contemporary painter in America. Bedford will co-curate the exhibit with Katy Siegel, the Rose's curator at large.