IFEMA takes its ARCO Brand to Portugal, with the organisation of ARCOlisbon

Organised by IFEMA, it will be held from 26 to 29 May 2016. This international expansion project aims to raise awareness and increase projection of the current Portuguese art scene.

Portugal, and its growing art market, is the destination chosen by IFEMA for the organisation, beyond our borders, of the first contemporary art fair under the ARCO brand. Thus, ARCOlisbon will come into existence in 2016, from 26 to 29 of May, in the Fábrica Nacional da Cordoaria, located in Belém, with the participation of 40 international galleries selected by the Organising Committee.  

Portugal, one of ARCO’s long-standing allies, has been chosen for this new project by IFEMA as one of the most attractive cultural hotspots with an increasingly dynamic market, worthy of a relevant and stable art event on the contemporary art fairs circuit, for its unique, high quality art context in constant dialogue with international art. Which is why IFEMA, organiser of one of the most emblematic international events, ARCOmadrid, is creating this new platform which, with the extensive know how of the Madrid institution, will help raise the value of the Portuguese art and culture scene.

The opportunity and support created by this project for Portuguese galleries will be enhanced even further by the progressive recovery of the Portuguese economy, which began to stabilise in the last quarter of 2015, as well as the return of international investment in the real estate market among others, which in recent years has been attracting Brazilian and Chinese investors. Another positive factoris the rise in tourism in Portugal, which has grown considerably in recent years, with 2014 being the year with the biggest increase in reservations across Europe, particularly attracting tourists from Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Brazil, many drawn by its cultural offer.

ARCOlisbon will provide the professional space and context to analyse and raise awareness of the wealth and diversity of the Portuguese art scene; a creative setting with a past, a present and a future that is especially dynamic and interesting. Around 40 international art galleries selected by an Organising Committee will, either exclusively or as part of their programme, present artists capable of establishing an open and constructive dialogue with the Portuguese creative scene.

Hence, using a format of limited dimensions, honing in on the Outstanding Artist concept, ARCOlisbon will provide the perfect moment to present artists who dialogue with Portuguese creators and reflect the natural connections with Spain and Brazil, and with the different scenarios to have sheltered artists who were fundamental for the definition of Portuguese art. In short, a series of influences and connections that have persisted over the years, that ARCOlisbon will give a voice to while raising their profile. 

On creating ARCOlisbon, the intention is for it to be held annually. Itwill be open to the public from 26 to 29 of May and will dedicate its opening day (25 May from 6pm on) to international professionals and collectors, including the selection that will make up the guest Collectors’ Programme which is planned.

IFEMA fosters its international dimension

IFEMA, with almost four decades of experience at its back, has been consolidated as the main fair organiser in Spain and one of the most important in Europe, having celebrated around 1500 fairs in the course of its history, that have congregated roughly 80 million visitors.

With ARCOlisbon, IFEMA begins its foreign expansion of the International Contemporary Art Fair, ARCO, which is the sixth own brand event it has organised beyond our frontiers. Thus, it follows in the footsteps of SICUR Latin America, International Security Fair; GENERA Latin America, International Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency Fair, and MATELEC Latin America, International Electric and Electronic Solutions Salon, that are held in Chile, as well as MATELEC EIBT China, and MAC FRUIT ATTRACTION, the first edition of which will take place in El Cairo in the month of May 2016.

This new project aims to strengthen IFEMA’s international dimension, exporting its know-how and experience to emerging markets that are of particular interest. Additionally, it will become the driving force behind the promotion of international participation in these markets with a vocation to move beyond their geographic space. Thus the Trade Fair Institution of Madrid will ratify its position as an international player with the capacity to act in various business sectors and regions.