ARCOlisboa 2025: Your Complete Visitor Guide

Explore a top-tier international art fair where it all began. Your guide to ARCOlisboa 2025 includes dates at Pavilions ticket options, featured galleries and creators, alongside expert tips for accommodations, dining, and parallel cultural experiences.

ARCOlisboa, part of the prestigious ARCO Madrid art fair network, has been a cornerstone of Lisbon’s cultural calendar since its 2016 debut. Organized by IFEMA Madrid and Aicep Portugal Global, the fair bridges Southern Europe, Africa, and Latin America, reflecting Lisbon’s historic role as a global crossroads. The 2025 edition, themed “New Geographies,” celebrates emerging artists, sustainable practices, and post-colonial dialogues.

♻️ Green ARCOlisboa:

• Solar-powered pavilions and 100% recycled booth materials.
• Carbon offsets via Lisbon’s Urban Forest Project.
• Free reusable tote bags for VIP visitors.

ARCOlisboa 2025: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow.

• “A fair that turns Lisbon into a canvas of global stories.” – ArtReview

ARCOlisboa, part of the ARCOmadrid art fair network, was established in 2016 to elevate Lisbon as a cultural hub connecting Southern Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Key milestones:

Founding & Early Years (2016–2020)

• 2016: Launched with a focus on Iberian art, featuring Portuguese and Spanish galleries like Cristina Guerra Contemporary Art and Helga de Alvear.
• 2018: Introduced "Portugal em ARCO", spotlighting Portuguese artists such as Joana Vasconcelos and Pedro Cabrita Reis.
• 2019: Expanded to include Lusophone African galleries from Angola and Mozambique, reflecting Lisbon’s colonial history and multicultural present.

Pivot & Growth (2021–2024)

• 2021: Adopted a hybrid format (ARCO Digital) during COVID-19, offering virtual gallery tours and online sales.
• 2023: Relocated to Cordoaria Nacional, a historic industrial space, doubling capacity to host 100+ galleries.
• 2024: Launched "Africa in Focus", a curated section for Lusophone African artists, and partnered with MAAT for riverside installations.

2025: 9th Edition – "New Geographies"
Marking its evolution into a global platform, the 2025 edition:

• Features Brazil as Guest Country, with collaborations like São Paulo’s Vermelho Gallery.
• Premieres a Paula Rego retrospective, co-curated with Casa das Histórias.
• Expands public art projects along the Tagus River, including site-specific works by Vhils and Grada Kilomba.

ARCOlisboa 2025 is driven by a commitment to redefine art’s role in a interconnected world, guided by:

1. Promote Cross-Continental Dialogue

• Amplify Lusophone voices (Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique) through curated programs like "Africa in Focus".
• Foster collaborations between European, African, and Latin American galleries.

2. Empower Emerging Artists

• Opening Lisboa: A juried section for under-35 artists, offering grants like the ARCOlisboa Award (€10,000).
• Mentorship programs linking young creators with institutions like Serralves Museum.

3. Sustainability & Equity

• Green ARCO: Solar-powered pavilions, zero-waste policies, and partnerships with Lisbon’s Urban Reforestation Project.
• Accessibility: Free entry for students/seniors, multilingual guides, and sensory-friendly hours.

4. Innovate Through Technology

• ARCO Digital: Hybrid access via VR exhibitions and blockchain-certified NFTs.
• AI Curation Lab: Experimental projects with Lisbon’s tech startups.

5. Strengthen Cultural Identity

• Highlight post-colonial narratives and decolonize art market practices.
• Celebrate Lisbon’s heritage through public art and partnerships with historic venues like Museu do Oriente.

Why It Matters
ARCOlisboa 2025 bridges Lisbon’s past as a colonial capital with its future as a cosmopolitan art nexus, fostering creativity that transcends borders.

“Where the Tagus meets the world — art without borders.”