Applications are officially open for the 43rd edition of Art Brussels, scheduled to take place from Thursday, April 15, through Sunday, April 18, 2027. As one of the most anticipated events on the international contemporary art calendar, the fair will return to its longtime venue at Brussels Expo, bringing together galleries, artists, collectors, and art professionals from across the globe.
The upcoming 2027 edition aligns with an unusually pivotal moment for the cultural landscape of the Belgian capital. The event will coincide with the high-profile openings of two major institutional landmarks in the city: Kanal-Centre Pompidou and the newly renovated Musée d’Ixelles. These institutional debuts are set to amplify the city’s artistic resonance, creating a heightened cultural momentum that will surround the fair throughout its four-day run.
Each year, Art Brussels welcomes approximately 25,000 international collectors, curators, museum directors, and art world professionals. The platform serves as a vital venue for discovering, presenting, and engaging with contemporary art across multiple disciplines and career stages.
A Heritage of Curiosity and Contemporary Discourse
Since its establishment in 1968, Art Brussels has maintained a reputation for fostering curiosity and critical engagement within the European art market. Over more than five decades, the fair has positioned itself as a leading European forum for contemporary art by balancing established gallery presentations with experimental formats and emerging artistic voices.
Reflecting on the foundational ethos and core objectives of the upcoming edition, Nele Verhaeren, Managing Director of Art Brussels, emphasized the event’s ongoing commitment to artistic discovery and international dialogue:
“This spirit of curiosity has been at the heart of the fair since 1968, establishing Art Brussels as one of the leading contemporary art events in Europe. With its strong and precise gallery selection, Art Brussels brings together exceptional art, emerging voices and unexpected discoveries, creating a distinctive platform for exchange and engagement. For its 2027 edition, Art Brussels presents the second edition of Horizons, curated by Chris Dercon and dedicated to practices that challenge the traditional booth format. Together with its dedicated VIP programme and initiatives such as the Discovery Acquisition Prize, the fair continues to foster meaningful connections between galleries, collectors and institutions.”
Curatorial Spotlight: The Horizons Section
A central component of the 2027 fair is the presentation of the second edition of Horizons, a curated section specifically dedicated to artistic and gallery practices that transcend and challenge the standard commercial booth format.
The selection for the 2027 edition of Horizons will be curated by Chris Dercon, the Director of Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain in Paris. Under Dercon’s curatorial direction, Horizons invites participating galleries and artists to present non-traditional, space-responsive, and conceptually adventurous projects that reconfigure how art is presented and experienced within a commercial fair setting.
Collector Engagement, VIP Programming, and Support Services
Beyond its primary gallery sectors and curated presentations, Art Brussels 2027 will feature a series of tailored initiatives designed to facilitate deeper engagement among galleries, institutions, and collectors.
The fair’s exclusive VIP programme is structured to provide refined experiences for key collectors. Designed to balance high-level networking with personal exploration, the itinerary includes the official VIP Preview Cocktail while leaving dedicated time for visitors to explore the broader fair and off-site cultural programming across Brussels.
In addition, the 2027 edition will introduce new on-site and off-site events aimed at generating expanded opportunities for gallery representatives to connect and build professional relationships with international collectors, curators, and museum representatives.
To assist attendees and foster market accessibility, Art Brussels provides dedicated collector support services. Specialized help desks will offer direct guidance to new and emerging collectors, assisting them with navigation across the fair floor and facilitating personal introductions to participating gallerists.
Long-standing fair initiatives, such as the Discovery Acquisition Prize, will also return for the 43rd edition, sustaining the event’s legacy of recognizing standout gallery presentations and promoting direct acquisitions by institutions and prominent collections.
Application Guidelines, Selection Committee, and Deadlines
Commercial galleries interested in exhibiting at the 43rd edition of Art Brussels are invited to submit their applications through the fair’s official portal. The formal application deadline for galleries seeking inclusion in the 2027 fair is Friday, October 16, 2026.
Participating galleries will be rigorously evaluated and selected by the fair’s international selection committees, composed of respected gallerists and art professionals. Comprehensive profiles and professional backgrounds of all committee members are published on the Art Brussels website for public review.
