ARCO Art Fair Madrid 2025

ARCOmadrid returns for its 44th edition from March 5-9, 2025, at IFEMA MADRID, sticking to its well-worn formula while claiming to push boundaries. It represents the art market quite well nowadays: anchored in tradition, with the same structure, and labeled as innovative.

ARCO 2025 by the Numbers

– 44th edition of the ARCO Contemporary Art Fair
– Location: Halls 7 and 9, IFEMA
– 206 Spanish and international galleries
– 36 countries represented
– 350 international collectors were invited (100 were based in Madrid, mainly from Latin America, and public institutions and foundations).
– Most Expensive Artwork: “Head with Three Hairs Facing the Moon” by Joan Miró (€1.6 million)

Special Program

Every year, there is a special program. Every year this is more or less the same: About the South American art market. It is called Wametisé: Ideas for an Amazofuturism, an attempt to redefine art through hybridized perspectives of nature, humanity, and the metaphysical. The aim is to challenge artistic norms with 15 galleries from six countries and explore new forms of creation that reflect hybrid existences between human, plant, physical, and metaphysical bodies. The exhibition space is built with untreated chipboard panels designed for reuse, reducing environmental impact:

General Program

The fair’s backbone is represented by international galleries selected by the Organizing Committee. The curated sections, such as Opening (for younger galleries) and a 32 Artist Projects, will be presented.

Opening section

The Opening section features galleries less than seven years old, selected by Cristina Anglada and Anissa Touati.

Application Process

Participating in ARCO Madrid: The fair does not accept individual artist applications. Instead, artists must be represented by a commercial gallery, which must apply on their behalf. A gallery must be open for at least two years before applying to any professional trade show or art fair.

Selection Criteria and Point System

ARCO Madrid employs a strict selection process, relying on a point system to assess gallery applications. The jury evaluates each gallery’s program and proposal based on specific criteria. Factors like previous participation in ARCO or representation of artists who have participated increase a gallery’s score. New galleries may find entering more challenging, as the point system often favors established galleries with a history at the fair. Here is their application page.

ARCO, review of the art fair

It’s worth noting that this year’s ARCO has faced criticism, as is often the case, with two main points standing out:

Nothing really new

Firstly, there’s a noticeable lack of innovation. After almost half a century, things can start to feel repetitive. While consistency is reassuring, there’s a shortage of new ideas, media, and experimental endeavors. Despite being a trade show where sales are paramount, nurturing creativity and pushing boundaries is essential.

Costly

Secondly, accessibility has become a significant concern. With ticket prices soaring to 52 EUR per person at the ticket office and 44 EUR online (22 for students), it’s becoming increasingly inaccessible to those from more modest backgrounds. This high cost alienates potential art lovers and collectors, hindering the growth of the art community. Many online commenters have voiced their discontent with this issue.

The Rise (and Trap?) of Textile Art

Textile art is gaining traction at art fairs, often championed by women artists. They use weaving to revive traditional techniques or elevate craft as an art form. While the art world pushes for inclusivity, women are often confined to craft-based media. The trend reinforces a divide—textiles for women, painting and sculpture for men. How many male artists do you see weaving? Almost none. Instead of breaking barriers, this trend might be reinforcing them.

Women make up 40% of the artists at ARCO

A respectable percentage. But dig deeper: women dominate in the Opening section, which is dedicated to young galleries. Emerging platforms seem to embrace change faster than the establishment. Will this momentum carry over, or will the traditional market gatekeepers keep the balance lopsided?

The market still plays by old rules

Money speaks. The highest-priced pieces at ARCO remain in the hands of dead male giants from a long time ago. Joan Miró’s “Head with Three Hairs Facing the Moon” commands €1.6 million. A still life by Juan Gris, “Pipe et Paquet de Tabac” sits at €1.25 million.

ARCO 2024

The 43rd edition of ARCO. This year, ARCO is featuring:
– 206 galleries from 36 countries.
– Showcasing the work of over 1,300 artists.
– Special section: The spotlight was again on the Caribbean, which isn’t surprising, considering ARCO’s tradition of highlighting art from a specific region each year. Alongside the special Caribbean section, they’ve kept the Latin-American section, titled “Never the Same,” again. its time.

Noteworthy artwork:

– “Manuel” by Rodrigo Muñoz Ballester

Every year, one artwork captivates the public’s attention most. This year, that standout piece is “Manuel,” commonly known as “Gay Love.” It’s titled ‘Manuel’ and was created by the artist Rodrigo Muñoz Ballester and presented by José de la Mano. This artwork made its debut at the second edition of ARCO in 1983. After four decades off the market, it resurfaces in this edition as a historical representation of gay visibility. It depicts a clothed man embracing a naked man, marking it as the first publicly exhibited gay-themed work in Spain during its time.

ARCO 2023

The misfortune of some…

Spain, with Portugal, is the least impacted economically in Europe by the war in Ukraine because it is mainly independent of Russian Gaz and Oil. Spain’s control of the inflation rate and how the people and government faced pandemics make it one of the best countries to invest in. Where cash flows, Art thrives.

Geopolitical benefits

ARCO is one of the biggest art fairs in Europe. However, it has always struggled to get attention from the US and North European galleries. Yet, this economic and geopolitical situation now drives the art world. It has nothing to do with ARCO’s strategic choices.

Crisis and Art

In this period of financial markets’ instability, investors traditionally turn their interest to Art. Economic downturns tend to make the ultra-wealthy individuals, who represent a significant portion of the art market’s clientele, increase their consistent demand for Art.

New and Noteworthy Participants

ARCO Madrid 2023 welcomed significant new participants, including prominent American gallery David Zwirner. Additionally, the fair features two curatorial programs and introduces ArtsLibris, adding further diversity and intrigue to the event. The art fair has regained momentum, boasting a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere.

ARCO 2022

– 185 galleries from 30 countries.
– This year, the Basel Group replaced the French art fair FIAC in Paris.
– Special section: Focusing on Latin American art, “It’s never the same” with 15 galleries.
– New section: “Opening” dedicated to emerging artists.

ARCO 2021

– 130 galleries from 27 countries, 50 from foreign countries.
– ARCO changed the dates from March to July when the pandemic pushed the cancellation of other art fairs.
Noteworthy Artwork: The fair featured significant pieces, such as Agustín Ibarrola’s “Guernika Gernikara,” a 1977 reinterpretation of “Guernica,” which had remained in the artist’s studio until its display at ARCO 2021.

ARCO 2020

– 209 galleries from 30 countries
– Increased representation of women artists: There was a significant rise in the participation of women artists, increasing from 25% in 2019 to 32% in 2020.
– Special Section: “It’s Just a Matter of Time” featured 13 artists influenced by the Cuban-American artist Felix González-Torres, exploring themes of temporality and perception.
– ARCO was one of the only art fairs running this year despite the COVID shutdown. (25 hospitalized cases in Madrid at that time).
– Noteworthy artworks: