Art Madrid'26 – OUR AGENDA FOR AUGUST

We share with you our particular selection of exhibitions in Madrid. They are not all of them, but let’s take the lead from here.

 

“Lujo y luto”, by Estefanía Martín Sáenz, at the ABC Museum of Illustration.

Within the program "Connections" started seven years ago by the museum in collaboration with the Santander Foundation, a guest artist is invited to develop a creative project inspired by two works. On this occasion, the chosen pieces were a still life by Juan de Arellano from the Banco Santander collection and a cover of "Blanco y Negro" by Manuel Escudero, belonging to the museum's collection. Starting from these two works, Estefanía Martín has tackled a proposal that plays with the concepts that give the title to the exhibition. Luxury and mourning live together in compositions with oriental reminiscences and works that represent very well her style, with floral motifs, embroidery and fabrics. Until September 30th.

"Victor Vasarely. The birth of Op Art ", at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

This exhibition suggests a journey through the career of this creator of Hungarian origin that settled in Paris, from his beginnings until the end of his career. A paradigmatic figure when defining this style that, although ephemeral, has enriched the postmodern artistic movements of the first half of the 20th century. Until September 9th. More information here

Victor Vasarely, Amir "(Rima)", 1953, Vasarely Múzeum, Budapest

"Eusebio Sempere" at the Reina Sofia Museum

This retrospective dedicated to Sempere approaches the career of this artist whose work shows connections with kinetic art, a movement in full bloom in Paris in the mid-50s, a time that marked his departure as a recognised artist. From that moment on, Sempere began his international projection, with exhibitions inside and outside the country that consolidate it as a reference creator of national geometric art. Until September 17th.

Eusebio Sempere, “El reloj”, 1966.

"In an instant, Morocco", in the Arab House

Within the program of PhotoEspaña 2018, Casa Árabe organises this exhibition with works by nine Moroccan photographers who portray the daily reality of this country offering a vision of its society, customs and day to day life unknown for many. An invitation to get to know more closely the people of the neighbouring country and get closer to the pulse of its contemporary production. Until September 23rd.

M’hamed Kilito. Destinies, 2017 © M’hamed Kilito

"Views of Rome", by Henryk Dąbrowski and the Lázaro Collection, at the Lázaro Galdiano Museum

This exhibition proposes a dialogue between the works of Henryk Dąbrowski on the city of Rome, a renowned Polish architect, and the pieces that make up the collection Lázaro Galdiano, who was also passionate about this Italian city. The exhibition has been organised in collaboration with the Polish Institute of Culture and the Embassy of Poland and was curated by Carmen Espinosa, chief curator of the museum. Until September 9th.

"Auschwitz. Not a long time ago. Not far away ", Arte Canal Exhibition Center of Madrid.

Although it is hard to face this period of our recent history turned into a tragedy of unimaginable magnitudes, it is necessary to remember not to forget, not to repeat in the future, the mistakes of the past. The exhibition is organised by the State Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau and arrives in Spain in collaboration with the company Musealia. Our country is the first stop of this macro exhibition that will travel to thirteen other European and North American cities. Until October 7th.

Pawel Sawicki © Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum - Musealia

 

The 22nd edition of Art Madrid opens its application period. From 3 to 7 March 2027, the Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles will once again become the meeting point for national and international contemporary art. Galleries interested in taking part can submit their application until 20 October 2026.



Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Aerial view.

The Art Madrid contemporary art fair

Art Madrid takes place each year as part of Madrid Art Week, the moment in the Spanish art calendar with the highest concentration of collectors, institutions and specialist press. With 22 years of history, the fair brings together national and international galleries with a programme focused on recently produced contemporary work.


Located at the Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles, in the cultural heart of the city and steps away from the Triángulo del Arte and the Paseo del Prado, Art Madrid offers participating galleries a distinctive and recognisable setting within the Spanish art fair landscape.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Entrance.

Art Madrid'26 in figures

The previous edition closed with 35 galleries from 7 countries (Spain, Portugal, France, Denmark, Taiwan, South Korea and Cuba), over 200 artists and around 20,000 visitors. 35% of the audience were new collectors, with an age range between 35 and 60 and a gender split of 55% women and 45% men.


The fair welcomed representatives from more than 30 foundations, museums and collections, including Fundación Mapfre, Fundación BBVA, Fundación Telefónica, Fundación Banco Santander, Fundación Bertelsmann, Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, Fundación Carmen y Lluís Bassat, Fundación Studiolo, Fundació Lluís Coromina, IVAM, MARCO, CAAM, MEIAC and the Museo del Romanticismo. Delegations from Madrid City Council, the Community of Madrid, the Ministry of Culture and ambassadors from several countries also attended.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Fundación Studiolo Acquisition Award.

PROGRAMMES

GALLERIES PROGRAMME

In each edition, Art Madrid brings together a carefully curated selection of around 35 national and international galleries with proposals focused on recently produced contemporary work.


ONE SHOT COLLECTORS PROGRAMME

Sponsored by One Shot Hotels and led by Ana Suárez Gisbert (art advisor specialising in international law and the art trade, art appraiser and court expert), the Collectors Programme connects new and experienced buyers with the participating works and galleries through a personalised advisory service throughout the five days of the fair.


For galleries, it operates as an additional channel for engaging active buyers, running in parallel to their own commercial activity.


PATRONAGE PROGRAMME

Art Madrid partners with institutions, collectors and private companies to directly support artists and galleries through awards and acquisitions. At the 2026 edition:


  • One Shot Hotels Breakthrough Artist Award (€1,000): Joost Vandebrug · KANT Gallery (Copenhagen–Palma)
  • Cervezas Alhambra Emerging Artist Award (€1,000): Iyán Castaño · Galería Arancha Osoro (Oviedo)
  • Colección Studiolo Acquisition: Roger Sanguino · DDR Art Gallery (Madrid)
  • Colección E2IN2 Acquisition: Albert Bonet · Inéditad Gallery (Barcelona)
  • Devesa Law Acquisition: Kim Han Ki · Banditrazos Gallery (Seoul)
  • Colección dn2 Acquisition: Iván Baizán · Galería Arancha Osoro (Oviedo)

Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Devesa Law Acquisition Award.


PARALLEL PROGRAMME AND ON-SITE ACTIVITIES

Throughout February, Art Madrid runs a Parallel Programme of series, talks and projects that extend the dialogue beyond the fair venue.


During the five days of the fair, alongside the galleries' exhibition programme, on-site activities include the Open Booth, the Performance Series and Readings: Curated Tours.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. View of Daniel Barrio's Open Booth.


Communication and reach

The Art Madrid'26 communications campaign reached 17 million people across online and offline media: print press, radio, exclusive catalogue, web, newsletter, social media and virtual 360° tour. Coverage included general and specialist national and international media, with appearances on RTVE, TeleMadrid, Onda Madrid, Onda Cero, COPE, El Mundo, ABC, Vogue, TimeOut and Elle, among others.


All participating galleries and artists feature on the Art Madrid website during and after the fair, with their own profile, images of works and contact details.


Art Madrid'26 - 21st Contemporary Art Fair. Aerial view.


KEY INFORMATION:

Galleries interested in taking part in the 22nd edition of Art Madrid can submit their application through the online registration form available on the website until 20 October 2026.



For any queries, please write to info@art-madrid.com or call +34 91 535 87 11.