February 6–8, 2026
On February 5, 2026, Arte Fiera inaugurates its 49th edition—the first led by the new Artistic Director Davide Ferri—while Enea Righi continues as Managing Director for the fourth consecutive year, marking the beginning of a new cycle for the fair.
The 2026 edition, titled Cosa sarà (What it will be), conveys an energy directed toward the future, embracing unpredictability and a desire to rethink the “fair format,” while also acknowledging the enigmatic quality that continues to captivate collectors and art lovers.
Alongside the Main Section, traditionally divided into post-war and contemporary art, Arte Fiera presents five curated, invitation-only sections—Ventesimo+, Fotografia e dintorni, Multipli, Pittura XXI, and Prospettiva—bringing together 174 galleries, 12 publishers, and 15 institutions, for a total of 201 exhibitors.
Powered by Gruppo Hera, Preludio is the new name of the artist commission that will feature an original work by a leading contemporary Italian artist. Positioned at the entrance or a key access point, the artwork serves as both a threshold and a first encounter for visitors at Arte Fiera.
For its first edition, Marcello Maloberti presents the site-specific project KOLOSSAL BOLOGNA. Near the main entrance, a crane mounted on a truck suspends a Bologna road sign—uprooted from its original location—between earth and sky, alongside raw soil and concrete blocks that evoke its roots. The installation acts as a suspended gateway, opening toward the sky and elevating the city itself.
During the fair, the installation comes alive through the dissemination of multiple posters created for the occasion, which will move through both the fair and the city together with the public.
Also debuting in 2026 is the Arte Fiera Acquisition Fund, supported by BolognaFiere and Cosmoprof, which provides 100,000 EUR to acquire works presented at the fair enriching BolognaFiere’s permanent collection.
The collaboration with Fondazione Furla continues with a programme of live performances curated by Bruna Roccasalva. This year, multidisciplinary artist Chalisée Naamani (b. 1995, France) will present a new work that combines performance, sculpture, and installation, transforming the Padiglione de l’Esprit Nouveau into a kaleidoscopic interweaving of symbols, materials, and images.
Among the fair's regular events, Book Talk returns for the fifth year, a series of conversations entirely dedicated to art books, organized in partnership with BPER and curated by Guendalina Piselli, which highlights the lively relationship between art and publishing and its ability to arouse great interest among professionals and the public. A packed calendar of events during the fair will present some of the most interesting titles recently published or due to be published soon—including catalogues, monographs, theoretical essays, and artist's books—with the participation of critics, scholars, and artists. The 2026 edition also pays particular attention to independent publishing, offering an in-depth look at the contemporary publishing scene.
Arte Fiera will also celebrate Italian contemporary art with seven prizes honouring emerging and mid-career artists—including the ANGAMC Prize, BPER Prize, Marval Acquisition Award, Officina Arte Ducati Prize, Osvaldo Licini by Fainplast Award, Righi Collection Award, and Rotary Award—presented during a ceremony on Friday, February 6.
The second edition of the Flash Art Italia Award will also take place during Arte Fiera, marking 60 years since the founding of the historic magazine.
Fair preview: February 5 / Public Days: February 6–8. / Performance Chalisée Namani: February 5 / Awards ceremony: February 6, 4pm
Contacts
Show office: artefiera [at] bolognafiere.it, T +39 051 282929 /2355.
Arte Fiera press office: Elena Pardini, elena [at] elenapardini.it, T +39 348 3399463; Claudia Malfitano, claudia [at] mayvenice.com, T +39 346 540 1118
BolognaFiere Communication & Media: Elena Sabbatini, elena.sabbatini [at] bolognafiere.it, T +39 051 282876.
