Art Rotterdam 2026 Emphasizes Photography and Emerging Artists in Revitalized District

The 27th edition of Art Rotterdam took place from March 27 to 29, 2026, with a preview on March 26, at the Rotterdam Ahoy venue in the Zuidplein area, a newly developing artistic zone in the southern part of the city. The fair featured over 150 galleries, predominantly from the Netherlands, with DHB Bank as the main sponsor. A significant focus was placed on photography and architecture, underscored by the integration of the Amsterdam-born Unseen photography fair into the event. Unseen's 'Unseen Publication' segment was hosted at the ground floor of the Nederlands Fotomuseum, which had recently relocated to a former Brazilian coffee roastery building marked 'Santos'. Another notable local development was the May 2025 inauguration of the Fenix Museum of Migration, designed by MAD Architects and featuring a prominent spiral staircase called 'The Tornado'. The fair's Main Section included Solo/Duo presentations and displays of emerging artists. Highlights included No Man's Art Gallery's stand featuring works by Sakir Khader, who addresses themes of memory and resistance related to Palestine, and Alejandro Galvan, who explores violence and vulnerability. Other notable presentations included Shimon Kamada's paintings at Diez Gallery, and a duo show by Carmen Schabracq and Agata Ferrari Bravo at Red Lab. The New Art Section, Prospects, curated by Johan Gustavsson and Daphne Verberg and supported by the Mondriaan Fund, showcased 92 emerging artists who each received a €25,000 budget for their projects. This section included Italian artists like Luca Grimaldi and Shivangi Kalraa. The fair also featured Projections for video art, a Sculpture Park spanning 280 square meters, and the NN Art Award, which celebrated its tenth edition with Fiona Lutjenhuis winning the €10,000 prize. The Unseen Encounters section, curated by Domenico de Chirico, focused on photographic works that challenge traditional print formats, with galleries like Viasaterna, MLZ art dep, and Beta Contemporary presenting artists such as Teresa Giannico, Camilla Gurgone, Anaïs Horn, and Carlos Herraiz. Notable collectors in attendance included Joop van Caldenborgh, Wim Pijbes, Hester Alberdingk Thijm, and Jeannette ten Cate, along with corporate collections from ING, ABN AMRO, DHB Bank, and Van Lanschot Kempen. VIP manager Manuela Klerkx reported a robust program with international collectors from Austria, Belgium, France, and Italy.