ArcoMadrid 2026: Gallerists Protest VAT Inequality as Fair Opens
Spain's largest contemporary art fair, ArcoMadrid 2026, took place at Ifema from March 4 to 8, showcasing 211 galleries representing 30 nations. Spanish gallerists have protested for a reduction in the cultural VAT, currently at 21%, which they believe puts them at a disadvantage compared to Italy's 5% and Belgium's 8%. Maribel López, the fair's director, noted that the elevated VAT negatively impacts Spanish galleries, which make up 36% of the total, and restricts artists' international exposure. The Spanish government has yet to address these concerns. Prominent galleries included Lelong and Chantal Crousel, alongside Italian participants like Lia Rumma. The main exhibition, ARCO2045: el futuro, por ahora, was curated by José Luis Blondet and Magaly Arriola, with new awards like the Premio Catapulta and a prize for the best stand.
Key facts
- ArcoMadrid 2026 ran from March 4 to 8 at Ifema Madrid.
- 211 galleries from 30 countries participated.
- Spanish gallerists protest the 21% cultural VAT rate.
- Maribel López is director of ArcoMadrid.
- 72 Spanish galleries (34% of total) are present.
- Sit-in on Feb 20 at Reina Sofía, Macba, Ivam, Caac.
- Central exhibition ARCO2045 curated by José Luis Blondet and Magaly Arriola.
- Premio Catapulta awards acquisition for National Gallery of Canada.
Entities
Artists
- Antoni Miralda
- Ugo Rondinone
- Aurelia Muñoz
- Manuel Bouzas
- Henri Matisse
- Pablo Picasso
- Juan Genovés
- José Guerrero
- Joan Miró
- Antonio López
- Eduardo Chillida
- Jaume Plensa
- Luis Feito
- Fernando Zóbel
- Picasso
- Miró
- Dalí
- Max Ernst
- Fernand Léger
- Tàpies
- Millares
- Esteban Vicente
- Clavé
- Barceló
- Uslé
- Manolo Valdés
- Fernando Botero
- Albert Serra
Institutions
- ArcoMadrid
- Ifema
- Reina Sofía
- Macba
- Ivam
- Caac
- National Gallery of Canada
- Storefront for Art and Architecture
- Lelong
- Chantal Crousel
- Thaddaeus Ropac
- Esther Schipper
- Carlos/Ishikawa
- Green Art
- Loevenbruck
- Zander
- Lia Rumma
- Studio Trisorio
- Massimo Minini
- Francesca Minini
- Prometeo Gallery
- P420
- Monitor
- Gilda Lavia
- Pinksummer
- Vistamare
- Ada
- Giorgio Persano
- Helga de Alvear
- Madragoa
- ArtMadrid
- JustMad
- CAN Madrid
- Matadero
- Madrid Design Festival
- FORMA
- Hybrid
- SAM
- Artist 360 MD
- salazarsequeramedina
- Illy
- ARCOmadrid
- JUSTMAD
- Art Madrid
- CAN Art Fair Madrid
- Hybrid Art Fair
- FORMA Design Fair Madrid
- SAM Madrid
- Artist 360
- Palacio de Neptuno
- Galería de Cristal
- Palacio de Cibeles
- Matadero Madrid
- Hotel Petit Palace Santa Bárbara
- Nave Una del Matadero
- Central de Diseño del DIMAD
- Círculo de Bellas Artes
- ARCO Madrid
- Salón de Arte Moderno
- La Milla del Arte
- FORMA Design Fair
- IFEMA
- Galería de Cristal de Cibeles
- Central Diseño, Matadero
- Palacio Neptuno
- Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles
- Fundación Manuel Benedito
- Galería Jordi Pascual
- Galería Mayoral
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Barcelona
- Valencia
- Seville
- London
- Dubai
- Paris
- Germany
- Italy
- Naples
- Bologna
- Rome
- Genoa
- Milan
- Turin
- Lisbon
- Portugal
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Brazil
- New York
- Canada
- Galicia
- Ibiza
- Latin America