Arco Lisboa 2026: Lisbon's art fair grows to 80+ galleries, deepens local roots

The ninth edition of Arco Lisboa opened on 28 May at Lisbon's Cordoaria Nacional, expanding from 45 galleries in 2016 to over 80. Fair director Maribel López emphasizes maintaining a local character: 35% of galleries are Portuguese and over half are Iberian, offering international VIPs a deep dive into the local scene. Kubik Gallery director João Azinheiro, a committee member, presented works by Pedro Vaz, whose acrylic landscapes reference Serra da Estrela's herding culture, with a simultaneous show at the gallery's Lisbon space. Portuguese museums created a parallel programme of visits and events, while Lisbon Design Week shared a space called 'The Living Room' designed by Joana Astolfi. International galleries like Consonni Radziszewski (Lisbon, Milan, Warsaw) seek to connect foreigners and locals; committee member Matteo Consonni noted that the Portuguese collector base remains local but opportunities exist for the right artists. A pre-fair lunch at MAC/CCB drew collectors and curators, with one Colombian gallerist praising Lisbon's relaxed atmosphere. The fair aims to elicit a sense of discovery for outsiders.