main partner
23—26.04.26 Brussels Expo
main partner
Founded in 1968 by the Association of Galleries based in Brussels, the fair was originally known as the Foire d’Art Actuel / Actuele Kunstmarkt. Initially organised as a biennial event, it took place in various venues across Belgium and maintained a primarily local focus. Over the years, the fair welcomed several notable visitors, including Her Royal Highness Queen Paola of Belgium, who attended the event on multiple occasions.
In 1997, the fair was taken over by Artexis (now Easyfairs), marking a significant turning point in its development. Renamed Art Brussels, it became an annual event and established itself as an important meeting point for the international contemporary art community, taking place at Brussels Expo.
From 2016 to 2022, the fair was hosted at Tour & Taxis. In 2023, Art Brussels returned to Brussels Expo, occupying some of the venue’s most emblematic halls.
Today, Art Brussels benefits from the strong support of a wide European network of collectors, curators, institutions, and art enthusiasts. Belgium is often noted for having one of the highest concentrations of art collectors per capita, contributing to a vibrant artistic ecosystem and a dynamic market environment for galleries and artists.
Maintaining its profile as a discovery-driven fair, Art Brussels brings together around 150 contemporary art galleries each year, representing a wide spectrum of the international art scene. The fair is structured around five sections, each offering a distinct perspective on contemporary artistic production.
Prime presents leading galleries showcasing modern and contemporary masters alongside established international artists, creating a cross-generational dialogue.
Solo features monographic presentations, allowing visitors to engage more deeply with the work and practice of individual artists within the fair context.
Rooted in the history of the fair, ’68 Forward highlights galleries exploring artistic developments since 1968, the founding year of Art Brussels, and reflects on the diversity of movements that have shaped contemporary art.
Discovery remains dedicated to emerging international talent, presenting either solo presentations or curated dialogues between artists whose practices deserve greater visibility.
The 2026 edition introduces a new section, Horizons, curated by Devrim Bayar, Senior Curator at Kanal-Centre Pompidou. This section will bring together monumental artworks in an exhibition conceived as a scenographic parcours within the fair.
Over the past decades, Brussels has established itself as one of Europe’s leading centres for contemporary art. The city hosts a dense network of galleries, artist-run spaces, and internationally recognised museums, contributing to a dynamic and evolving cultural landscape.
Art Brussels has played a significant role in this development. For more than five decades, the fair has brought together international galleries, artists, curators, and collectors, reinforcing Brussels’ position within the global contemporary art market.
Belgium is also known for its strong community of collectors, widely recognised for their expertise and long-term engagement with artists and galleries. Prominent figures such as Frédéric de Goldschmidt and Walter Vanhaerents have built important private collections that are partly accessible to the public through initiatives such as Cloud Seven and Vanhaerents Art Collection.
During the fair, Brussels’ major museums and art institutions further contribute to the city’s cultural momentum with a programme of exhibitions and events that coincides with Art Brussels.