Arte Fiera, the international fair of modern and contemporary art in Bologna now in its 49th edition, the longest-running among Italian art fairs, returns Feb. 6-8, 2026, with preview on Feb. 5, inaugurating a new cycle with the first artistic direction entrusted to Davide Ferri - already curator for five editions of the Pittura XXI section, entirely dedicated to the language of painting - joined by Enea Righi, in his fourth year in the role of operations director.
Edition number 49 of Arte Fiera will see numerous changes: from the new curatorial team to the rethinking of the pavilion dedicated to twentieth-century art, to a new organization of the curated sections, in order to aim at reaffirming and consolidating its identity, celebrating Italian art in its many forms and expressions. The title of this edition, Cosa sarà, expresses a tension toward the future, evoking at the same time uncertainty, a desire for innovation in the fair format and that aura of mystery that continues to fascinate collectors and art lovers.
The new visual identity, designed by Al mare. Studio, visually translates the spirit of the title: with a style vaguely reminiscent of pop, but minimalist and elegant, it reinterprets the Arte Fiera stamp by transforming it into a dynamic sign, which from a hypothetical horizon line becomes a rising sun.
The two pavilions that traditionally host the fair will set the stage for a dialogue between twentieth-century art (Pav. 26) and contemporary artistic expressions of new generations (Pav. 25).
The Main Section-articulated as always between historicized art and contemporary art-will be joined by five curated and invitation-only sections, enriched by important new features.
Twentieth+ is the new project dedicated to the Modern Pavilion, with a focus on galleries that concentrate on the historic twentieth century. It is curated by critic and curator Alberto Salvadori, director and founder of the ICA Foundation in Milan. The section proposes a reflection on collecting, exploring approaches and declinations oriented toward eclecticism and transversality, and looking at the development of each collection as a specific and identifying phenomenon.
Photography and Surroundings, curated by Marta Papini, independent curator and head since 2024 of the Radis public art project promoted by Fondazione CRT per l’arte, presents a broad overview of the photographic medium, including established authors and young talents, investigating both formal research and conceptual approaches, and contamination with other media.
Multiples, under the leadership for the first time of Lorenzo Gigotti, editor and co-founder and co-publishing director of NERO, explores a wide range of languages and formats: from lithographs to artist’s books, from design to photography, and audio editions and new media. This approach is intended to reflect a desire to create more open and inclusive market forms that are able to engage new audiences.
Pittura XXI, curated for the first time by Ilaria Gianni, critic, curator and co-artistic director of the independent space IUNO in Rome, aims to focus attention on how painting, from 2000 to the present, has returned to being a language of the present, including Italian and international authors of different generations, between emerging and mid-career.
Prospettiva, in its second year, is again curated by Michele D’Aurizio, critic and independent curator. The section is dedicated to the research of new generations, presented through monographic exhibitions promoted by emerging galleries (with less than ten years of activity) or by established realities but with experimental programs.
Confirmed also for 2026 the collaboration with Fondazione Furla for the program dedicated to performance, curated by Bruna Roccasalva, artistic director of the Foundation. This project, now in its fourth edition, consolidates the shared commitment to enhancing a language that has always been a distinctive feature of the Bologna event.
Arte Fiera also announces the renewed support of BPER, already Main Partner of the 2025 edition. The bank reaffirms its commitment to the promotion of art, culture and creativity, recognizing their value as engines of social and territorial growth, as well as tools for inclusion. The collaboration with ANGAMC - Associazione Nazionale Gallerie d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (National Association of Modern and Contemporary Art Galleries) - with which Arte Fiera has activated a permanent discussion table, also continues.
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| Bologna, lots of news for Arte Fiera 2026: new artistic direction, new curators and reorganization of sections |
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