MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Art Fair Philippines returns in 2026 with renewed energy, a larger footprint, and a sharpened focus on contemporary art.
Running from February 6 to 8, the country’s premier international art fair will take over Circuit Makati, transforming the urban events complex into a dynamic meeting ground for artists, galleries, collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts.
“We’re moving — still on the edge of Makati — but it’s very exciting because this area is being built up as an arts community. I’m sure the art fair played a big role, because we’ve always focused on widening the audience and being a platform for all kinds of art,” Art Fair Philippines Co-founder Lisa Ongpin-Periquet said in an exclusive interview with adobo Magazine.
She added, “Over the years, people realized this is something they enjoy, and the place began to incorporate it. That’s why we’re here. In a way, it’s an evolution of 15 years of contemporary art — making it part of your lifestyle and something you want to experience.”
Now in its latest edition, Art Fair Philippines continues to solidify its role as a cultural anchor in the region — one that bridges local narratives with global conversations while making contemporary art more accessible to a broader public.
The 2026 edition brings together leading galleries from across the Philippines alongside exhibitors from France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Spain, reinforcing Manila’s growing role as a hub within the Asian and international art markets.
New venue
Following landmark editions at The Link and Ayala Triangle Gardens, the relocation to Circuit Makati offers greater spatial flexibility and a more integrated environment for galleries, curated projects, and public programming.
“We’re in a new venue, which is always exciting because it’s part of the character of the fair to use edgy and different spaces. We don’t want to be in a conventional convention center; we want to be different. That gives the fair a lot of dynamic energy — you don’t know what to expect, you don’t know what the space will be like, and then you explore it,” Lisa told adobo Magazine.
Likewise, the move to Circuit Makati positions the former racetrack complex as a central hub for the country’s contemporary art ecosystem. It also signals a “shift not only in scale but in ambition, as the fair continues to connect Philippine art to regional and global conversations.”
10 Days of Art
Coinciding with the fair is the “10 Days of Art” initiative, which runs from January 30 to February 8. “10 Days of Art” is a series of events and museum openings that celebrates the best of Makati’s cultural spirit, including large-scale public art installations throughout the Makati Central Business District and leading up to the main event at Circuit Makati.
A curated snapshot of contemporary art
Visitors can expect a carefully curated mix of established and emerging galleries, presenting works that span painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video, and new media. Philippine contemporary art remains at the core of the fair, complemented by strong participation from international and regional galleries to offera wider lens on current artistic practices in Asia and beyond.
For instance, the ArtFairPH/Projects, a key highlight of the fair, will spotlight the artistic excellence and experimentation while connecting modern Philippine masters with contemporary innovators.
Led by Imelda Cajipe Endaya, the section emphasizes art rooted in Philippine identity, addressing themes of domesticity, migration, and women’s empowerment.
The contemporary lineup also features Ambie Abaño, Max Balatbat, Ged Unson Merino, ceramic pioneers Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, and Filipino diaspora artists organized by Berlin-based Sa Tahanan Co.
Cross-cultural exchange is further enriched by Spanish artist Ampparito, presented for the third year in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.
The section also honors late masters Brenda Fajardo, Constancio Bernardo, Solomon Saprid, and Romeo Tabuena, reinforcing the legacy of feminist social realism and geometric abstraction. The exhibition design is once again donned by Nazareno/Lichauco.
Furthermore, ArtFairPH/Digital continues the fair’s engagement with technology-driven art, featuring works that use animation, VR/AR, AI, and the metaverse.
Highlights include TRNZ’s debut of The Keeper, an animated short film created with Fleet Studios that reflects on societal pressure and quiet emotional weight; and the TLYR Collective, whose immersive, generative, and AR-based installations explore “digital alchemy” and the fluidity of identity in virtual spaces.
True to its reputation, the fair balances market-driven exhibitions with intellectually engaging presentations, making it equally appealing to seasoned collectors and first-time fairgoers.
Platforms for discovery and dialogue
Beyond gallery booths, Art Fair Philippines 2026 will roll out ArtFairPH/Talks in partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines.
These daily sessions will explore the evolving art landscape, featuring discussions with project artists and conversations on art collecting and the market. Full speaker details will be announced on the fair’s website.
The fair aims to advance international exchange through ArtFairPH/Residencies, a program designed to expand opportunities for Filipino artists by connecting them with global curators and ideas. For 2026, Anne-Laure Lemaitre, a New York-based independent curator known for cross-disciplinary work in public art, technology, and cultural storytelling, has been named curator for the residency grant, with applications now open.
How to score a ticket
Tickets for Art Fair Philippines 2026 are now on sale on its official website. General daily admission is priced at PHP 750, while students (with valid IDs), senior citizens, and PWDs may avail of a discounted rate of PHP 500. Makati students with valid school IDs are eligible for a special rate of PHP 300.
The fair runs from February 6 to 8, 2026 at Circuit Corporate Center One, The Circuit Makati. Tickets will also be available for purchase on-site at the Reception Desk throughout the duration of the event.
