ARTCONTACT Istanbul

ARTCONTACT Istanbul ranks among the most important international fairs for contemporary art in Turkey. It provides a platform for artists, galleries, collectors, and art enthusiasts from around the world to present, discuss, and discover new artistic movements. The name "ARTCONTACT" encapsulates the fair’s core mission: connecting art ("Art") with human interaction ("Contact")—between creatives, audiences, and international cultures.

The fair is held once a year and organized by Atis Fuarcılık A.Ş., a seasoned company specializing in cultural and trade fair events. The venue is the modern Dr. Mimar Kadir Topbaş Performance and Art Center in Istanbul—a spacious event complex perfectly suited to the needs of an international art fair.

ARTCONTACT showcases the full spectrum of contemporary art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, printmaking, digital art, street art, and graphic design. A central curatorial theme is “Art in Public Space”, which is brought to life through an expansive outdoor area featuring a sculpture park. Here, works by both established and emerging artists are made accessible to a wide audience and integrated into everyday urban life—clearly reflecting the fair's commitment to art as an essential part of public life.

A defining feature of ARTCONTACT is its international orientation. More than 100 exhibitors from over 40 countries—including prestigious institutions such as the Ilya Repin Academy and Art Market Budapest—foster cultural exchange and create a vibrant dialogue among diverse art scenes. The fair is accompanied by a rich program of events, including conferences, panel discussions, performances, concerts, and workshops, all of which address current trends in the art world and the evolution from traditional to contemporary forms of expression. Special attention is given to emerging talents, who are offered dedicated opportunities to present their work to an international professional audience.

Within Turkey’s art landscape, ARTCONTACT occupies a unique position. It has established itself as a key forum for current trends and attracts collectors, gallery owners, museum representatives, art journalists, designers, and professionals from the cultural, media, architectural, and creative industries—as well as art lovers from Istanbul and abroad.

At its heart lies the direct encounter between artist and audience—the dialogue between concept and contemplation. Participation is exclusively through galleries, further emphasizing the fair’s professional orientation.

The Dr. Mimar Kadir Topbaş Performance and Art Center, located in the Yenikapı district, is easily accessible by public transport and car. Situated in one of the world’s most culturally diverse metropolises, ARTCONTACT is not only a fixed date in the international art calendar but also an impressive experience at the crossroads of East and West.

The ARTCONTACT takes place annually, and therefore for the 6th time previsibly in May 2026 in Istanbul.