ARCOlisboa 2025 reaffirms its role as an international platform for contemporary art in Portugal
ARCOlisboa, co-organised by IFEMA MADRID and the Lisbon City Council, closes its eighth edition this afternoon with positive results. The sales activity reported by participating galleries reflects the firm commitment of both Portuguese and international collectors to contemporary art.
ARCOlisboa, which once again received the support of the Government of Portugal, was honoured by a visit from the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and featured the participation of the Minister of Culture, Dalila Rodrigues, and the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas at the opening ceremony. The fair estimates to have exceeded 14,000 visitors, including a significant presence of young attendees. This turnout was boosted by an initiative from the Ministry of Culture, which provided free admission to those under 25 on Friday and Saturday. A measure that has helped bring contemporary art closer to younger generations and reinforce ARCOlisboa's commitment to developing new cultural audiences.
The International Contemporary Art Fair brought together a total of 83 galleries from 17 countries, once again turning the Portuguese capital into one of the most attractive artistic and cultural hubs in Europe and a meeting place for collectors, artists and gallery owners from all over the world. According to Maribel López, director of ARCOlisboa, "the appeal of the artistic proposals presented by the participating galleries, together with the dynamic cultural programme offered by the city's public and private institutions, has been key to attracting prominent collectors and professionals on a global scale".
Held in the iconic Cordoaria Nacional venue, ARCOlisboa has established itself as the leading international contemporary art event in Portugal, playing a fundamental role in boosting the international visibility of Portuguese artists among institutions and the more than 150 guests invited to the fair; collectors, directors of institutions, curators and other international art world professionals.
ARCOlisboa will thus close on a good note. Acquisitions have been confirmed since the first day, such as those of the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, which purchased a total of 14 works by 7 artists: Gabriela Albergaria, Ana Jotta, Carla Filipe, Mónica de Miranda, Maria Condado, João Maria Gusmão, Jonathan Saldanha.
The ARCO Foundation also made acquisitions, advised by Tania Pardo and Sandra Guimarães, purchasing works by artists Carla Filipe (Jahn Und Jahn gallery), Marina González (Rosa Santos), and Nana Mandl (Kandlhofer). These works will become part of the ARCO Foundation Collection, housed at CA2M – Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo Museum of the Community of Madrid.
Awards at ARCOlisboa
The number of prizes awarded at ARCOlisboa continues to grow, reflecting the growing commitment of national and international companies and institutions to contemporary art and to the fair as a platform for supporting artistic creation. Through the sponsorship of these awards, the work of the participating galleries, artists and curators is recognised.
This year, Madrid-based gallery Travesía Cuatro won the 3rd Fundação Millennium bcp Prize for Best Stand at ARCOlisboa, as decided by a jury formed by Antonia Gaeta and Diego Sileo.
Also, for the sixth consecutive year, ARCOlisboa has awarded the Opening Lisboa Prize, whose jury was composed of Etienne Bernard, Ana Botella, Fernanda Brenner, Julia Coelho, Jessie James, Cedric Fauq, to Enhorabuena Espacio, featuring artists Venuca Evanán and Fátima Rodrigo. A special mention was given to Method gallery, showcasing the work of Ammama Malik, Shivangi Kalra, and Sajid Wajid Shaikh.
For its part, the Fundação Vasco Vieira de Almeida expanded its collection with the acquisition of a work by Mafalda Santos, from the Presença gallery.
TheStudiolo Collection - Candela A. Soldevilla presented an Acquisition Prize for the work by Leonor Serrano Rivas (Carlier | Gebauer gallery) and Jorge Queiroz (Bruno Múrias gallery).
For the first time, MACAM – Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins awarded the MACAM Acquisition Prize, selecting a work by Glenda León (Max Estrella gallery) to join the museum’s permanent collection.
The MEXTO Property Investment Acquisition Award was given to artist Ana Malta from This is Not A White Cube gallery. Her work will now form part of the MEXTO collection.
ARCOlisboa is co-organised by the Lisbon City Council, with the support of the Ministry of Culture / DGARTES, Fundação EDP, Fundação Millennium BCP, Fundação Vasco Vieira de Almeida, Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Lisboa, sponsored by MEXTO Property Investment, WAAU (World African Artists United),Bellissimo Cafés / Marca Grupo Nabeiro, Super Bock Group, Artworks, Ruinart, Valor Pneu, Herdade Aldeia de Cima, Quinta Nova, Taboadella, and Me Lisbon by Meliã, and with the local coordination of the production company Café Pessoa - Cultural Strategies.
The ninth edition of ARCOlisboa will be held from 28 to 31 May 2026 at the Cordoaria Nacional.