Art fairs are an essential element in the art industry. For participating galleries, art fairs exist not only as a means to promote your artworks and artists, but are also a platform to connect gallerists with collectors. As a result, art fairs provide a crucial environment to build upon and expand relationships between the art market’s key players. Let’s explore the most anticipated art fairs of 2022!
ARCO Madrid
February 23-27, in Madrid
ARCO Madrid, 2021, Source: Movart
Launched in 1982, ARCO Madrid is a leading international art fair in Spain. The fair returns for its 40th edition on February 23-27, 2022, to the location it calls home, the IFEMA exhibition center. ARCO Madrid is the perfect fair if your gallery highlights Spanish and Latin American artworks and artists.
This year ARCO Madrid will welcome approximately 150 internationally-recognized galleries. Among the participants, ARCO Madrid features around 15 up-and-coming galleries, all of which have been open for less than 7 years. Within the lineup of the fair, ARCO Madrid will exclusively promote women artists in its “Artist Projects." The 2022 edition of ARCO Madrid will feature a new section, “Never the Same: Latin American Art," which highlights a selection of Latin American artists all of whom are represented by international galleries. Curated by Mariano Mayer and Manuela Moscoso, the fair's latest section is intended to promote and reinforce a Latin American presence at ARCO Madrid.
Art Paris
April 7-10, in Paris
Art Paris, 2021, Source: Fomo-Vox
After a successful 2021 edition that welcomed nearly 73,000 visitors, Art Paris, an official Artsper partner, returns April 7-10 with a strong, international lineup of 130 modern and contemporary galleries. This year's distinguished roster of galleries reflects the art fair’s growing presence and impact on the art market.
For Art Paris’ 24th edition, it expects to see a 30% increase of new visitors. Art Paris supports the presence of emerging galleries and artists all while staying committed to its central themes: environment and natural history. If your gallery is interested in cultivating a stronger presence amongst francophone collectors, then Art Paris is the ideal art fair.
London Art Fair
April 20-24, in London
London Art Fair, 2020, Source: Ici Londres
Founded in 1989, London Art Fair promotes exceptional modern and contemporary art. Three decades have passed since the fair’s inauguration and the fair continues to present works in the building it calls home, London’s Business Design Centre in Islington. The fair began with only 36 UK-based galleries and has since grown to represent nearly 130 local and international galleries from 14 countries.
In 2021, London Art Fair realized a special edition of the fair that allowed visitors, near and far, to discover the edition digitally, providing a space to explore, learn, and debate important topics. If your gallery is interested in expanding its digital presence post-Brexit, then London Art Fair is a perfect platform to promote your works while collecting important contacts.
Art Brussels
April 28-May 1, in Brussels
Art Brussels, 2019, Source: Le Quotidien de l'Art
Launched in 1968, Art Brussels is an established figure in the international contemporary art fair lineup. The annual fair welcomes upwards of 25,000 visitors to the European capital, presenting a diverse range of galleries at all stages of their careers. Starting in 2019, Art Brussels began a subsection of the fair, “INVITED,” which promotes emerging galleries and art spaces that challenge traditional conventions in the art market, targeting the rise of young collectors.
Art Brussels returns April 28-May 1. If your gallery is eager to expand its European presence, Art Brussels presents the perfect opportunity to develop essential relationships with some of Europe’s most active collectors.
Frieze New York
May 18-22, in New York
Frieze New York, 2015, Source: Christie's
Founded in 1991, Frieze is a media and events company created by Amanda Sharp, Matthew Slotover, and Tom Gidley. In 2003, Slotover and Sharp established Frieze London, one of the world’s most dynamic contemporary art fairs. In 2012, Frieze launched Frieze New York, as well as Frieze Masters which operates at the same time as Frieze London. In 2019, Frieze established Frieze Los Angeles. Now, in 2022, Frieze is comprised of three publications and five international art fairs.
Frieze New York returns May 18-22, taking place in the Shed, a cultural center in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards. Although Frieze New York is considered as the sister fair to Frieze London and Frieze Los Angeles, each fair has its own character and selection process. Frieze New York welcomes an array of prominent players in the international gallery landscape, while also promoting the industry’s budding talents. If your gallery doesn’t fall in alignment with the ethos of Frieze New York, there are four other wonderful Frieze opportunities in store.
Art Basel
June 16 -19, in Basel
Art Basel, Source: Art Basel
Conceived in the 1970s by Basel-based gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner, and Balz Hilt, Art Basel is one the most prominent international art fairs, with a powerful grip on the world’s artistic landscape. Art Basel consists of various fairs, exhibiting annually in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and as of, 2022, Paris. Host cities and countries play an integral part in the organization of each fair, as it is the local art institutions and galleries that are the heart of the artistic programs of each fair. Beyond a local presence, Art Basel had an impressive lineup of the world’s major players.
Art Basel returns to Basel June 16-19 and will feature more than 200 leading galleries from five continents. Like the rest of their fairs, Art Basel organizes city-wide activities allowing visitors to experience the host city while enjoying exceptional art. No matter where in the world your gallery is located, there is a chance that there is an Art Basel festival within reach. Art Basel is an avid supporter of digital platforms, providing galleries the opportunity to participate in online gallery rooms.
TEFAF Maastricht and New York
May 6-10, in New York
June 25-30, in Maastricht
TEFAF Maastricht, 2020, © Mark Niedermann, Source: La Gazette Drouot
The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) was established in 1988. It consists of two fairs: TEFAF Maastricht and, as of 2016, TEFAF New York. TEFAF Maastricht promotes more than 7,000 years of art history whereas TEFAF New York highlights contemporary art and design.
The fourth spring edition of TEFAF New York will be held at the Park Avenue Armory, during May 6-10. The iconic Armory is a cultural landmark on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. TEFAF Maastricht postponed its spring slot for a later date, returning June 25-30. The annual fair is held at the Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Center in the Netherlands and showcases masterpieces throughout the ages. Do you have a masterpiece from any century? If yes, then TEFAF Maastricht is the art fair for you.
Kiaf Seoul
September 3-6, in Seoul
Opening day of KIAF in Seoul, 2021, Source: Kiaf Seoul
Established in 2002, Kiaf Seoul is South Korea's premier international art fair. As Seoul has rapidly taken grip of the international art market, Kiaf Seoul has swiftly gained international recognition throughout the sector. The fair is accordingly expanding its lineup for the upcoming edition, returning September 3-6.
Just as the world of digital art has taken its hold on the art industry, Kiaf Seoul is embracing the exciting medium through the art fair’s latest addition, Kiaf Plus. This year, Kiaf Seoul will continue to represent contemporary artworks while also supporting various digital mediums such as NFTs and New media art. Does your gallery sell NFTs or other digital artworks? Have you had the chance to exhibit these works at a world-renown art fair? If you haven’t had the opportunity, then perhaps Kiaf Seoul is the perfect occasion to display your work.
FIAC
October 20-23, in Paris
FIAC, 2019, © Sebastiano di Pellion, Source: La Gazette Drouot
Founded in Paris in 1974, the International Contemporary Art Fair (Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain, or FIAC) is one of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art fairs. FIAC welcomes over 200 of the art market’s leading international galleries, highlighting all mediums of art: digital art, performances, videos, installations, photography, painting, and sculpture. FIAC prides itself on its ability to promote and make a wide range of artworks accessible to the public.
For over 30 years, FIAC called the Grand Palais home. However, the fair lost its annual slot to a new art fair organized by Art Basel which will launch this year. Although the next location is unknown, it's safe to say that FIAC will stay committed to its mission to nurture the arts. Is your gallery excited for change? The return of FIAC to a fresh location is the perfect opportunity to present your artwork!
Art Cologne
November 17-20, in Cologne
Art Cologne, 2019, © Art Cologne
Art Cologne first started in 1967 and was held at a cultural landmark of Cologne, the Gürzenich. Founded by Cologne-based gallerists, Hein Stünke and Rudolf Zwirner, Art Cologne was established as a result of the urgent need to resurrect the dying art market of West Germany. Decades later, Art Cologne is an influential player in the international art fair community.
This year the Art Cologne returns November 17-20, at the Cologne-Deutz Exhibition Centre, welcoming an impressive catalog of international modern and contemporary galleries. Are you looking to expand your German-speaking market? Art Cologne presents the perfect combination of key German players and international art market figures.
Looking back as we move forward…
After a year of postponed and canceled art fairs, the art industry holds its breath in anticipation for the year to come. 2021 made it clear that the art market can overcome the hardest of economic obstacles. Hopefully, the future for the art fair community will continue without any predicaments, even if that includes delays. Which fairs do you plan to attend this year? What are the key elements that attract you to a specific art fair? Take advantage of the opportunity to prepare your gallery's participation for the next fair!