2008 International Art Fairs
A listing of some of next year's premier art shows
- Smithsonian.com, November 26, 2007, Subscribe
Although Art Basel (Switzerland) and its sister event, Art Basel Miami Beach, each featuring more than 2,000 modern and contemporary artists annually, are top contenders for the title of premier international art fair, a number of other shows, including the ten listed below, earn high ratings from both critics and patrons.
ARCO (Madrid, Spain)
February 13-18
More than 200,000 visitors in February 2006 and 2007 have helped consolidate ARCO's standing as one of the world's leading contemporary visual arts fairs.
National Black Fine Art Show (New York, New York)
February 14-17
Dozens of international dealers exhibit works by 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century African, African American and Caribbean artists.
TEFAF (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
March 7-16
One of the world's leading showcases of fine arts and antiques, TEFAF features paintings from Bruegel to Bacon, as well as six centuries of applied arts.
The Armory Show (New York, New York)
March 27-30
Billed as "The International Fair of New Art," the show is committed to presenting the best works by living artists.
Art Cologne (Cologne, Germany)
April 16-20
The world's oldest art trade fair, Art Cologne draws internationally renowned galleries and artists each April but the show is struggling to keep pace with Germany's hottest new contemporary art fair, Art Forum Berlin, held from late September to early October.
MACO (Mexico City, Mexico)
April 23-27
The most important international contemporary art fair in Mexico, MACO attracts some 80 galleries from around the world.
arteBA (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
May
arteBA is held five days each May to promote Argentina's and South America's contemporary art.
FIAC (Paris, France)
October
This international modern and contemporary art and design fair is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Europe.
Frieze Art Fair (London, England)
October 16-19
Frieze showcases more than 1,000 new and established artists and is arguably the most influential contemporary art fair in the world.
Shanghai Art Fair (Shanghai, China)
November
Featuring more than 200 booths and 10,000 works, this extravaganza is Asia's largest global art fair.
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Comments (4)
Shanghai has three art fairs running simultaneously this year, including the aforementioned Shanghai Art Fair, which is not in November. They have moved the fair earlier to align all three with tourism pouring in following the Olympic Games. Shanghai Art Fair, Shanghai Biennale, and ShContemporary all begin in September. See individual websites for details.
Posted by Natalee on August 18,2008 | 12:14 AM
Am a musician from nigeria,am the founder of (ELYMAN AFROCANA JUJU MUSIC).I like to perform in FIAC (Paris, France)in octorber 2008 or Frieze Art Fair (London, England) October 16-19 2008.i will like to be one guess artiste in the two programme. THANKS JAYEOBA ELIJAH
Posted by JAYEOBA ELIJAH on June 6,2008 | 02:53 PM
Hi. im an artist based in south africa. Most of my work is sculpture and focuses on the plight of black folk that live in the rural areas in South afrca in our post apartheid era.More especially women.Is it possible for me to participate in the next National black fine art show? Regards
Posted by Makhosazana Ngaba on February 23,2008 | 12:21 PM
This info is available at the Natl Black Art fair 2008 webpage: ARTIST INQUIRIES: The National Black Fine Art Show only presents galleries and dealers as exhibitors at the Show. Individual Black artists must obtain representation by one of our participating Exhibitors to have their work shown at the National Black Fine Art Show. Our Exhibitors are listed on this Web site. You will have to contact them and present your work to see if you can obtain representation. EXHIBITOR INQUIRIES: Exhibiting at the National Black Fine Art Show is by invitation only. Currently, we have a waiting list of galleries and dealers. For a gallery or dealer to be considered for upcoming shows send us a brief history of your gallery, the Black artists you represent and, if any of our current Show Exhibitors can provide you a recommendation, that would be very advantageous, too. You can submit this information to us via e-mail or mail the information to: Keeling Wainwright Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 333 Cabin John, MD 20818 A possible approach would be to visit the show and/ or research and contact the exhibitors who are presenting their artists there. Good luck, SamsonArt
Posted by SamsonArt on January 25,2008 | 03:35 PM
As an African American how can I participate in the National Black Fine Art Show of February 14-17? An e-mail add would help, thank you. I've enjoyed Smithsonian for many years, keep up the good work and Happy New Year!
Posted by George A. Williams on January 4,2008 | 02:35 PM