Even though during the global pandemic we were still able to appreciate art on the Internet, what we’ve certainly missed was the unique experience of attending art fairs. Fortunately, 2021 looks much more hopeful in this respect – the restrictions are gradually lifted in Europe and many events are likely to take place outside the virtual space. Hence, we keep our fingers crossed that coronavirus will not prevent the organisers from preparing our favourite art fairs as we cannot wait to participate in them back again.
Check out our selection of the upcoming art fairs in 2021:
Art Brussels Week
Dates: Online Viewing Room by Artsy: 1-14 June 2021
Contemporary Art Gallery Tour: 3-6 June 2021
Place: various locations
Art Brussels WEEK celebrates a week of contemporary art through a fascinating online and offline programme of exhibitions. It is the European platform for upcoming talents in the field of contemporary art and focuses as well on strong established galleries representing a selection of their highest-quality paintings, sculptures, photography, video and installations.
Contemporary Istanbul
Dates: 1 – 6 June 2021
Place: International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Istanbul, Turkey
Contemporary Istanbul, which addresses the healing power and enticing effect of contemporary art from a novel perspective, is opening its doors with the 15th edition so as to continue to support the works of artists who are the inner voice of society, by focusing the creativity of Turkey’s art industry.
Hungry for more?viennacontemporary
Dates: 2 – 5 September 2021
Place: Marx-Halle, Vienna, Austria
Every year in September, Vienna becomes the center of attention of the international art crowd: viennacontemporary, like no other art fair, bridges the global East and the West, gathering a unique selection of exciting contemporary art discoveries, established galleries, and thoughtfully curated sections in the light-flooded halls of the historic Marx-Halle. The “fair for explorers“ puts the spotlight on Central- and Eastern Europe and has become an important exchange and marketplace for collectors, professionals, and art lovers from all over the world.
Art Paris
Dates: 9 to 12 September 2021.
Place: Grand Palais Éphémère, Paris, France
The First Modern and Contemporary Art Fair to Take Up Residence in the Grand Palais Éphémère on the Champ-de-Mars. Art Paris has established itself a major art fair for modern and contemporary art. This 23rd edition will bring together 141 galleries from over twenty countries, displaying art spanning from post-war to the contemporary period. Whilst Art Paris is a place for discovery, its distinctive feature is a special emphasis on the European scene combined with the exploration of new horizons of international creative hubs in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
Liste Art Fair
Date: 20-26 September 2021
Place: Messe Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Liste Art Fair Basel was founded in 1996 and is the international fair for new discoveries in contemporary art. Every year in Basel, a younger generation of galleries exhibits artists who are outstanding representatives of the latest developments and trends in contemporary art. For all visitors, ranging from a high-calibre professional audience to anyone interested in art, Liste is synonymous with experiencing international artistic positions that are not only focused on the present but are also creating it – with new aesthetics, media and values. Many of today’s most important and successful galleries for contemporary art laid their foundations at Liste.
Art Basel
Dates: 23-26 September 2021
Place: Messe Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Basel is home to 37 museums, an extraordinary number for a city of its size. In addition to its world-famous institutions, major public artworks include Richard Serra’s monumental sculpture ‘Intersection’ and Jean Tinguely’s whimsical fountain, a collection of fanciful, water-shooting sculptures. Our Basel show brings the international artworld together, with 290 of the world’s leading galleries showing the works of over 4,000 artists. A full program of artworld talks takes place each day. Exhibitions and events are also offered by cultural institutions in Basel and the surrounding area, creating an exciting, region-wide art week.
Frieze Art Fair
Date: 13-17 October 2021
Place: Regent’s Park, London, England
Frieze was founded in 1991 by Amanda Sharp, Matthew Slotover and Tom Gidley with the launch of frieze magazine, a leading magazine of contemporary art and culture. Sharp and Slotover established Frieze London in 2003, one of the world’s most influential contemporary art fairs which takes place each October in The Regent’s Park, London.
Art Vilnius
Dates: 15-17 October 2021
Place: LITEXPO, Vilnius, Lithuania
ArtVilnius is the only contemporary art fair in Lithuania and the largest event of visual arts in Eastern Europe. ArtVilnius, which had its start in 2009, was one of the most important events in the Vilnius – European Capital of Culture project. Over the last ten years, the art fair has expanded and become firmly established on the local and international art scene, as well as on the list of must-visit events for art lovers. ArtVilnius aims to expand the circle of those interested in contemporary art in various sections of society, with a focus on young people in particular. Every year, visitors can avail themselves of a host of creative workshops and talks, as well as meetings with artists.
Artissima
Date: 5-7 November 2021
Place: Oval Lingotto, Turin, Italy
Artissima is Italy’s most important contemporary art fair. Since its establishment in 1994, it has combined the presence of an international market with a focus on experimentation and research. Galleries from around the world participate every year. In addition to the fair (Main Section, Dialogue/Monologue, New Entries, Art Spaces & Editions), Artissima is also composed of three art sections, headed by a board of international curators and museum directors, devoted to emerging artists (Present Future), drawings (Disegni) and rediscovering the great pioneers of contemporary art (Back to the Future).
