The 2026 edition of Arte Fiera, the 49th in its history, concluded with solid numbers and widespread approval. This event marked the beginning of a new phase for the Bologna event, the first under the artistic direction of Davide Ferri, supported by the operations director Enea Righi.
Over 50 thousand registered attendances during the opening days, a figure that confirms the centrality of the event in the Italian panorama and the stability of a fair format that, despite undergoing profound transformations, continues to represent a point of reference for galleries, artists and collectors.
A new orientation for the fair
The title chosen for this edition, What will be, He summarized his intention to question the future of the fair and, more generally, the contemporary meaning of these major exhibitions. The stated goal was to consolidate Arte Fiera's role as the leading platform dedicated to Italian galleries and 20th- and 21st-century art.
The results, at least on the market level, seem to have vindicated the curatorial approach: significant sales were reported in all sections from day one, supported by a targeted invitation campaign that brought collectors, professionals, and figures from the cultural and business worlds to Bologna, amplified by a particularly effective media and social media presence.
Public programs and collaborations
Alongside the commercial proposal, the public program represented one of the qualifying points of Arte Fiera 2026. Particular attention was drawn to the performance of Chalisée Naamani at the Pavilion de l'Esprit Nouveau, born from the collaboration with Furla Foundation as part of the live action program.
Still on the commissions front, the project COLOSSAL di Marcello Maloberti inaugurated the new series Prelude, supported by the Hera Group. Completing the program, Book Talks, in partnership with BPER, explored the relationship between art and publishing, confirming the interest in the critical and theoretical practices that accompany contemporary artistic production.
The 2026 Art Fair Awards
Seven awards were presented during the event, reflecting various forms of support for Italian art, including institutional partners, private entities, and collectors.
Il ANGAMC Award The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Emilio Mazzoli, founder of the Mazzoli Gallery with offices in Modena and Berlin, a historic figure in the contemporary art system.
Il BPER Prize, dedicated to the valorization of women's issues, went to Silvia Giambrone, represented by Richard Saltoun, with the acquisition of the work Mirror n.18 (2022), intended for the exhibition spaces of the BPER Group. A special mention was awarded to Silvia Inselvini (Atipografia) for Nocturnes No. 147 (2025).
Il Righi Collection Award, aimed at mid-career artists and new generations, awarded Liliana Moro (Raffaella Cortese gallery) for the work Square #2 (2007).
Il Marval Acquisition Award, focused on works with a strong social, political or economic content, has been attributed to Romane de Watteville (Ciaccia Levi) for I could claim the dreamers from the dreams (2025).
Il Officina Arte Ducati Award, related to the theme A Century Made of Seconds and aimed at valorising research, speed and innovation, was awarded to Diego Perrone (Umberto Di Marino) for Senza titolo (2025), destined for the Borgo Panigale corporate collection supported by the Ducati Foundation.
Il Osvaldo Licini Award by Fainplast, dedicated to contemporary painting in the wake of the master from the Marche, went to Pesce Khete (Colli gallery) for Untitled (2024).
Finally, the Rotary Award for the diffusion of art culture among young people was awarded to the Gian Marco Casini Gallery, while the Rotaract Award and the Andrea Sapone Award recognized the work of Luca Campestri, represented by the Capsule gallery.
The debut of the Arte Fiera Fund
Among the most significant innovations of Arte Fiera 2026 is the establishment of the Art Fair Fund, a €100 acquisition fund promoted by BolognaFiere and Cosmoprof. In its first edition, the fund acquired fourteen works, creating a diverse collection spanning generations and artistic languages.
The following thus enter the fund's assets: Untitled (1970) and Vibrations with holes (1970) by Greta Schödl (LABS Contemporary Art, Bologna); Elison (2026) by Leonardo Devito (Galleria Acappella, Naples); Senza titolo (2022) by Anri Sala (Alfonso Artiaco, Naples); two photographs from the series Narcissus against Narcissus (1979) by Libera Mazzoleni (Frittelli, Florence).
Three works by Francesco Jodice were also acquired from the series Aral_Citytellers Aralsk #004 (2008) Kyzylorda #005 (2008) Kyzylorda #006 (2008) — presented by the Umberto Di Marino gallery (Naples); two prints by Where the sky is closest (2014) by Moira Ricci (Laveronica, Modica); Untitled (Banister) (2023) by Buck Ellison (Barbati Gallery, Venice); Untitled (Green Parrot) #25 (2024) by Chiara Camoni (SpazioA, Pistoia); and On the day of the end you won't need English (2025) by Alek O. (Martina Simeti, Milan).
A look towards the 50th edition
With this 49th edition, Arte Fiera 2026 aimed to mark a turning point, strengthening its national identity and at the same time sparking a reflection on the future of art fairs. Attendance figures and sales figures indicate a positive response from the market and the public.
It now remains to be verified, in the next few years, How this new curatorial direction will evolve and impact a constantly evolving trade fair system. Bologna, meanwhile, confirms its role as a central hub for Italian modern and contemporary art, and more generally, the Emilian trade fair hub is a major attraction for Central and Southern Europe.
Arte Fiera 2026 opens a new chapter with 200 exhibitors and a renewed management team.
