Activities | FUNDACIÓN ARCO

Activities during ARCO
Activities outside ARCO

During ARCO

To celebrate ARCOmadrid and ARCOlisboa in the months of March and May, ARCO will organise a series of art and collecting-centred activities at the fairs, specially designed for artworld professionals, Amig@s ARCO and the general public.

Activities during ARCO

ARCO Opening

On the first day of the fair, around 2000 people will attend the opening. National and international collectors, curators, museum and institution directors, other contemporary art professionals and potential buyers, in addition to the Amig@s ARCO, are invited to this exclusive moment at ARCOmadrid and ARCOlisboa, before the official inauguration of the Fairs.

"A" Awards for Collecting

Fundación ARCO grants the “A” Awards for Collecting at ARCOmadrid. This initiative which aims to both reward and drive collecting, has been distinguishing the work of national and international collectors and collections since its creation in 1997.

First Collector

During ARCOmadrid, the “First Collector” free professional art purchase advisory service includes a visit plan and personalised advice designed to meet the needs of those taking their first steps in the art of collecting.
In collaboration with Fundación Banco Santander

Contact here

ARCO Forum

The ARCOmadrid and ARCOlisboa Forums offer a space for debate on contemporary creation and the art market that constitute a meeting point for the international art community. An extensive programme of activities that includes a Forum on Collecting and talks with artists, in which reputed professionals have the opportunity to exchange ideas and projects and interact with the participating galleries.

Fundación ARCO Lounge

ARCOmadrid makes a space for resting and getting together available to the Amigos ARCO present at the fair. Sponsored by Fundación ARCO, it houses a themed project designed by different architecture firms on each edition. Furthermore, different presentations of the new cultural projects of interest to the Fundación ARCO and Amig@s ARCO public also take place during the fair.

Outside ARCO

Throughout the year, the Amig@s ARCO enjoy advantages and activities organised by Fundación ARCO for the promotion of contemporary art. Additionally, the ARCO GalleryWalks return each season to bring the gallery projects of different cities to the interested public.

What activities will take place beyond ARCO?

ARCO GalleryWalks

The ARCO Foundation organizes guided tours to the main galleries in different cities during the months of September, marking the start of the art season, and February, prior to the opening of each edition of ARCOmadrid. Each new edition of the ARCO GalleryWalks offers, free of charge, the opportunity to explore over 100 contemporary art galleries in some of the major cities in the country.

With ARCO GalleryWalks, the ARCO Foundation helps the public interested in contemporary art to get closer and learn firsthand how galleries work with artists, how an exhibition is presented in each space, and allows the public to engage with current artistic creation.

Discover all the cities and routes and register!

Private Visits

Fundación ARCO organizes a series of private visits to national centers and exhibitions for Amig@s ARCO. These visits provide an opportunity to privately appreciate the most representative contemporary art projects. Visits are organized according to the exhibition calendar and will be communicated to all Amig@s ARCO.

Free museum admittance

The Amig@ ARCO card issued by Fundación ARCO grants free entry to various contemporary art museums in Spain, including the Museo Nacional Reina Sofía in Madrid, the MACBA in Barcelona, LaLaboral in Gijón, the CGAC in Santiago de Compostela, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, ARTIUM, and Es Baluard, among others.

If you're not yet an Amig@ ARCO, get your card and enjoy all the benefits.

Become an Amig@ ARCO!