ART COLOGNE – Cologne's stage for contemporary and classical art

Where collectors, galleries, and visions come together

ART COLOGNE is not only the oldest art fair in the world – it is also an institution in the international art market. Since its founding in 1967, it has shaped the development of contemporary art as well as the positioning of classical modernism. Every year, it attracts collectors, gallery owners, artists, curators, and art lovers from all over the world to Cologne to discover works, analyze markets, and shift perspectives. During ART COLOGNE, a unique art cosmos emerges at the Koelnmesse exhibition center, combining gallery presentations, special shows, discursive formats, and social exchange. The fair stands for the highest quality, a strong curatorial signature, and a balance between international appeal and regional roots.

Contributions from Messe.TV to Art Cologne

From the avant-garde to the classical – a panorama of art history

What makes ART COLOGNE particularly distinctive is its broad spectrum: in addition to young contemporary art, it features positions from classical modernism, post-war art, conceptual art, and established works of the 20th century. This mixture enables dialogue between generations, styles, and markets—and creates an inspiring environment for collectors and museums alike. Around 200 galleries from over 20 countries present works ranging from newcomers to blue chips – including painting, sculpture, photography, video, performance, and installation formats. The quality of the works on display is as high as the curatorial finesse of the presentations. Many galleries use ART COLOGNE specifically to present new artists for the first time or to open new chapters in already established cycles of work. For visitors, this means a concentrated, well-curated insight into what is currently being discussed and traded in the international art scene.

Support programs and curatorial formats with depth

The fair is characterized by a strong commitment to young artists. Formats such as “NEW POSITIONS” and “NEUMARKT” offer young galleries and artists the opportunity to present themselves to an international audience of experts—often with specially curated solo presentations that facilitate their entry into the art market. Special programs such as “Film Cologne” or the “Talks” format deepen artistic discourse, shed light on social contexts, and provide space for interdisciplinary perspectives between art, politics, media, and business.

Collecting, promoting, discovering – Cologne as a major art location

Cologne is one of the most traditional and dynamic art cities in Europe. With its museum landscape, gallery network, private collections, and art colleges, the city offers the perfect setting for a fair like ART COLOGNE. Many visitors take the opportunity to combine their visit to the fair with gallery tours, studio visits, or exhibition tours in museums such as the Museum Ludwig, the Kunsthalle, or the Philara Collection – and thus experience Cologne as a vibrant art location with international appeal. Those interested in other trade fairs in the region will find a comprehensive overview at Cologne Exhibition Center.

Marketplace and think tank

In addition to its art-historical and cultural significance, ART COLOGNE is also a trading center of great economic importance. Many galleries report successful sales to private and institutional collectors, and museums also make regular purchases. Thanks to its structure, quality, and reputation, the fair is considered a reliable barometer for developments on the international art market—and a strong anchor point for the German-speaking world. The fair actively supports transparency, fairness, and sustainability in the art trade, thereby underlining its role as a responsible player in the global art system.

The future of the fair: internationalization and digital expansion

ART COLOGNE is not standing still. New formats, collaborations with fairs abroad, hybrid forms of presentation, and digital catalogs are expanding the fair experience. Social issues—such as diversity, ecology, and the role of art in social change—are also finding increasing space in the program and in the works on display. The fair is thus becoming not only a place for art education, but also a forum for critical exchange and new visions—open to the challenges of a globalized, digitized, and multi-layered present.

Experience art in its most vibrant form

For those who not only want to view art, but also understand, collect, or promote it, ART COLOGNE offers an exceptionally dense, intimate, and high-quality setting. It is an invitation to discover, question, and discuss—and to engage in dialogue with people who not only make art, but also live it. Further information can be found on the organizer's website: www.artcologne.de