MediaLab Prado faces like every December a difficult challenge: to summarise in a day the work of a whole year and share it with the citizens. With this premise, the essential date on the agenda is approaching. The 14th you can not miss “One day in a year. Annual MediaLab Prado Festival ”. With an intense and varied program of activities, the centre opens its doors to families, curious and neighbours with the purpose of turning this pre-Christmas event into an encounter of exchange, knowledge and entertainment designed for everyone: from 0 to 99 years.

For the little ones, MediaLab Prado has created a special program to stimulate all the senses. Starting with music storytellers, followed by Japanese percussion classes, going through performances that recover the poems of García Lorca, Alberti or Gloria Strong. And that's not all, because there will also be room for fantasy and imagination in activities that involve body and mind. Some of these workshops are run by Blanca Helga, a children's illustrator specialising in play-books for children that she edits in the publishing house "Hopitihop" founded by herself. With Blanca, kids can create fantastic characters from cut-outs and collages, as well as start their first artist book with digital tools. And paying attention to body expression, there will also be an experimentation workshop on the body and the way we understand it, by the hand of Giz&Gif.

The connection between art and technology will be available to visitors with an immersive virtual reality experience throughout most of the day. This proposal is in charge of the Synthetic Realities Laboratory (LabRS), one of the centre’s workgroups that investigates the development of these virtual environments. On the other hand, there will be a presentation of all the projects carried out throughout the year, among which we highlight "Dark Light", the result of collaboration with Debajo del Sombrero, BIVO and "Autofabricantes". The first one will show the result of the residences carried out in the centre by autistic artists selected by the association Debajo del Sombrero throughout 2019, with projects arising from naturalness and spontaneity without conditioning. For its part, BIVO is an initiative that seeks to raise awareness about the need for responsible energy consumption, while investigating the manufacture of prototypes that allow the generation of energy through human movement. “Autofabricantes” is a space to investigate the technological advances applied to the elaboration of prostheses through open source, in addition to maintaining a community of exchange and support between participants and families, under the guidance and contribution of the “Exando una mano” group.

Works by Andrés Fernández, "Dark Light"

And you could not miss the use of the square. In addition to breakfast with some ‘roscon’ and hot chocolate as the first thing to open the day, from 6 p.m. the LED facade will be available to visitors, first with an interactive game of ping pong, and then a sample of the projects created for this device throughout the year by institutes, universities and academies.

This is just a preview of everything to enjoy the following Saturday in a meeting designed for everyone to participate. We invite you to consult the rest of the programming HERE and make a place on the agenda for this essential appointment.

Art Madrid presents the second edition of its Patronage Program, an initiative aimed at reinforcing its commitment to contemporary artistic production and the promotion of collecting. The program articulates several lines of support designed to enhance the visibility of participating artists, promote recognition of emerging careers, and consolidate sustainable relationships among artists, galleries, and collectors—thereby strengthening the professional ecosystem surrounding the fair.

This edition is supported by leading institutions, private collections, and companies committed to the development of contemporary art. The involvement of the private sector is essential in consolidating a sustainable model of support for artistic creation, understanding investment in art as a driver of innovation, prestige, and cultural responsibility. The program is further reinforced by the active participation of patrons who, through acquisitions and support of emerging artists, contribute to generating tangible opportunities and strengthening the artistic landscape.

Within this framework, the program includes the One Shot Hotels Revelation Award, a distinction intended to highlight a proposal that, through its singularity and strength, makes a particularly powerful entrance into the contemporary landscape. Through this award, One Shot Hotels, official sponsor of Art Madrid’26, reinforces its commitment to increasing visibility and supporting new voices within the contemporary art scene.

Meanwhile, the Cervezas Alhambra Emerging Artist Award focuses on the projection and consistency of a developing career, recognizing sustained processes and distinctive artistic languages within the most recent generation of creators. Through this initiative, Cervezas Alhambra reaffirms its commitment to new generations and to the ongoing support of contemporary artistic production.

The artists recognized in both awards will be announced shortly.

Acquisition Awards

Four entities — Studiolo Collection, E2IN2 Collection, Devesa Law, and dn2 Collection — reaffirm their commitment to contemporary art through the acquisition of works by artists participating in the fair. Their engagement not only contributes to the dissemination of contemporary art but also supports artists’ professional development and strengthens the collecting ecosystem. These initiatives are essential to ensuring the continuity and long-term projection of artistic careers. Through these Acquisition Awards, the selected works will enter prominent private collections, guaranteeing their preservation, study, and circulation within the art world.

About One Shot Hotels

One Shot Hotels is a collection of 14 boutique hotels located in prime areas of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, San Sebastián, and Porto. In 2026, the brand will expand to three new destinations: Ibiza, Lisbon, and Bilbao.

Each hotel reflects a commitment to design, creativity, and aesthetics, authentically integrating art and culture throughout its spaces. More than accommodations, the hotels are places with soul—each environment conveys artistic sensibility and attention to detail, offering guests a memorable stay that combines comfort, style, and culture.

Proximity, innovation, and a passion for the arts define the brand’s identity and shape how One Shot Hotels connects people with the creativity of each city in which it operates. The hotel group brings art and culture closer to guests and visitors, fostering authentic connections between its spaces and the creative spirit of each location.

About Cervezas Alhambra

Art Madrid is officially sponsored by Cervezas Alhambra, in line with its longstanding commitment to supporting contemporary artistic creation.

True to its philosophy, the brand promotes initiatives that celebrate unhurried craftsmanship, artisanal dedication, and the beauty found in details—values it has cultivated for over a century since its origins in Granada. Its support of artistic creation reflects a way of living and experiencing through all five senses, inviting audiences to slow down and engage with experiences that go beyond the purely visual.

Its cultural engagement is a natural extension of its brewing philosophy: a process rooted in knowledge, passion, and dedication, resulting in unique, authentic, and memorable creations. In this way, Cervezas Alhambra continues to accompany artists and creators, emphasizing process and reminding us that—just as in art—there is an essential ingredient in its beers: time.

About Colección Studiolo

Colección Studiolo, founded by Candela Álvarez Soldevilla, is a private initiative dedicated to the acquisition and promotion of modern and contemporary art. Inspired by the concept of the studiolo as a space for contemplation and thought, the collection brings together works across diverse artistic languages, with particular attention to 20th-century avant-gardes and contemporary artists. It understands collecting as a long-term commitment and sustained support for artistic practice.

About E2IN2 Collection

E2IN2 is an entity engaged in projects that generate significant economic and social value. The organization supports artistic talent and is currently seeking collaborators with whom to exhibit works from its art collection.

About Devesa Law

Devesa is a national law firm specialized in business law. Its mission is to provide value to companies, investors, and institutions operating in Spain through outstanding legal and tax services. Founded in 2007, the firm currently maintains offices in Madrid, Alicante, and Valencia, from which it serves clients nationwide.

About dn2 Collection

Colección dn2, based in Gran Canaria, is a private initiative dedicated to the acquisition and promotion of national and international contemporary art. Since its inception, it has developed a continuously growing collection characterized by diversity of artistic languages and a strong commitment to emerging and mid-career artists. The collection views acquisition as a long-term act of support and commitment to artists’ careers.