arttactic art market outlook 2026

ArtTactic's Global Art Market Outlook report indicates that the art market is entering 2026 with renewed optimism, with over half of participants expecting growth. Auction sales rose 11% year-on-year in 2025, driven by high-value trophy works and single-owner collections. Confidence is strongest at the top (works over $1 million) and bottom (under $50,000) of the market, while the mid-market remains squeezed. Modern and Post-War art lead the rebound, with painting dominating over NFTs and AI art. Geographically, the Middle East is the most bullish region, boosted by events like Art Basel Qatar, while the US and parts of Asia show improving sentiment, and Europe lags.

bonhams 2025 sales results market reset

Bonhams ended 2025 with $970 million in global sales, one of its strongest recent performances, driven by growth across regions and categories including fine art, luxury goods, and collector cars. The year’s top lot was a 2020 Bugatti Divo that sold for $9 million. However, the results are overshadowed by a Financial Times report of a £213 million pre-tax loss in 2024, largely due to £153 million in impairment charges tied to a change in ownership—the house was sold by private-equity firm Epiris to Pemberton Asset Management in October 2025. Bonhams Hong Kong posted a record $104 million, UK sales rose 4.5% to $285 million, and digital sales accounted for 46% of total value.

glow nanshan shenzhen 2025 26

Glow Nanshan, a light-art festival in Shenzhen's Nanshan district, has transformed the city's coastline into an outdoor museum of light art through installations, projections, and interactive works. The event, which serves as the heart of the larger Glow Shenzhen festival, coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and the 15th Five-Year Plan. Highlights include 'Island of Light' by Even Space, 'Anooki: Les Complices' by French studio Inook, and 'COSMOS' by Heyl & Van Dam Studio, alongside works by SKGPLUS in collaboration with Epson. The festival runs through March 3, 2026.

bonhams posted significant losses 2024

Bonhams, the UK-based auction house, reported a nearly 90% surge in pre-tax losses to £213 million ($286.3 million) in 2024, alongside a 9% revenue decline to £176 million ($236.6 million), according to filings with Companies House. The losses were driven by £153 million in impairment charges due to reduced cash flow forecasts, reflecting a write-down on the investment value held by former owner Epiris. The house was sold to Pemberton Asset Management in October 2024, and subsequently saw a leadership overhaul, with Seth Johnson appointed CEO, Liese Thomas as CFO, and Jennifer Babington as COO, replacing Chabi Nouri and Céline Assimon.

Proof of life — Curator’s Choice celebrates Nelson Mandela Bay’s creative pulse

The Curator’s Choice exhibition at Art on Target in Nelson Mandela Bay showcases 10 selected artists, ranging from emerging talents to established practitioners, including an octogenarian and recent graduates. The show, now in its third year, is an offshoot of the annual Same Size-Same Price-No Signature exhibition and was curated by Art on Target director Bretten-Anne Moolman. Artists were chosen by a diverse panel of over 20 local professionals, educators, and art lovers, and were given eight months to prepare new works for the exhibition, which opened on 13 May.

Collagraph prints exhibition begins at Kaalnee Art Studio

A ten-day collagraph printmaking exhibition opened on Wednesday at Kaalnee Art Studio in Rayer Bazar, Dhaka. The exhibition features 19 prints by 14 artists, created during a four-day workshop led by UK-based Bangladeshi artist Zaman Md Fakruzzaman and coordinated by Tarek Amin, jointly organized by Kaalnee Art Studio and the East London Academy of Art. Notable artists including Abul Barq Alvi, Nisar Hossain, Shishir Bhattacharya, Saifuddin Ahmed, Rashid Amin, and Tarek Amin attended the opening ceremony.

What’s good? Local art show is turning the Ottawa Valley into a gallery for a weekend

Arts Carleton Place is set to host its 2026 Fine Art Exhibition on May 2 and 3 at the Carleton Place Arena Upper Hall. The two-day event will feature 54 regional artists from Lanark County and the Ottawa Valley, presenting a diverse collection of works ranging from landscapes to abstract pieces. The exhibition offers free admission and provides a platform for visitors to meet local creators and purchase original artworks.

Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial showcases regional artists at HRAC

The Hammond Regional Arts Center (HRAC) has launched the 9th Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial, a regional showcase curated by Jeff Mickey of Southeastern Louisiana University. The exhibition features contemporary works from eleven artists, including Maggie McConnell, Mary Elkins, and Dale Newkirk. The event opened with a dedicated members' mixer followed by a public reception, and the sculptures will remain on display through May 30.

Bohol artist Jjawzip debuts solo exhibit “April’s Fool” at Dajon Art Gallery Bohol

Boholano mixed-media artist Joseph “Jjawzip” Ingking has launched his debut physical solo exhibition, “April’s Fool,” at Dajon Art Studio & Gallery in Baclayon, Bohol. The showcase features a series of paired paintings and toy sculptures that explore the recurring character "Energy Kid," a figure shaped by the artist’s personal history. Utilizing vibrant colors and recycled materials, the works—such as “Fragile Freedom” and “Radiance Reimagined”—blend fantasy with social commentary on themes ranging from the fragility of peace to the vitality of creative discovery.

Annual Student Art Show Opens at the Emmanuel Art Gallery

The Emmanuel Art Gallery hosted the opening of its annual student exhibition, titled “Guilty,” on the evening of April 2. The showcase features a diverse range of artistic media, including digital renderings and traditional oil paintings, created by the university's student body.

Colorado South Asian artist collective celebrates first anniversary in Evergreen

The Colorado South Asian Artists Group, founded by artist Bala Thiagarajan, is celebrating its first anniversary with its second exhibition, "Grounded," on view at the Center for the Arts Evergreen. The collective, which began with six members, has grown to nearly 50 artists of Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, and Indo-Caribbean descent, aiming to increase the visibility and community of South Asian artists in a region where they have felt excluded.

St. Albert youth artists share dreams at winter market

St. Albert’s youth artists are showcasing their work at Amplify’s third-annual Artist Alley Winter Market: Dreaming Edition, held November 8–12 at St. Albert Place. The event features a five-day exhibition of 33 works by students from local schools, a one-day craft market with 26 artisans, and three workshops, two of which are already sold out. The theme “dreaming” inspired a wide range of pieces, from digital art and photography to acrylics and a clay sculpture titled "Stewed Tomatoes" by Grade 10 student Elle Pigeon. Live music and beginner-friendly workshops, including a Paint Party led by instructor Kaylee Rose, round out the program.

LOOK HERE Highlights the Work of Progressive Art Studios Nationwide

The Center for Creative Works (CCW) and Haverford College's Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery have partnered to present LOOK HERE, a multisensory exhibition highlighting the work of neurodivergent artists. The show features six CCW artists—Kelly Brown, Cindy Gosselin, Clyde Henry, Tim Quinn, Brandon Spicer-Crawley, and Allen Yu—and is curated by Jennifer Gilbert alongside CCW artists Mary T. Bevlock and Paige Donovan. The exhibition includes accessible design elements such as braille, ASL videos, touch panels, sensory backpacks, and tours led by neurodivergent artists. Two satellite exhibitions, LOOK THERE at Haverford's VCAM gallery and LOOK EVERYWHERE at Philadelphia's Atelier Gallery, run concurrently, along with the sixth annual Creating Community Symposium, which brings together progressive art studios from across the US.

Third City Art Studio Opening In Austin, 1st In Project To Transform North Avenue Into Arts District

Third City Studio, an art gallery, studio, classroom, and event space, will open in October 2025 at 5538 W. North Avenue in Austin, Chicago, as the first phase of the North Austin Arts District. Next door, Third City Cafe is set to open in early 2026. The projects are spearheaded by Jon Womack of Third City Properties, in partnership with community leaders including Vanessa Stokes of Outwest Gallery & Cafe. The studio will highlight West Side artists, offer artists-in-residency programs, and partner with after-school programs. Executive director Sid Zalani is organizing the inaugural exhibition, accepting submissions through September 15.

16 artists for Emerging Vision exhibit

Arnim's Art Galleria in Port of Spain is hosting its fourth annual group exhibition, Emerging Vision, featuring 40 works by 16 emerging artists from August 8-23, 2025. Curator Gabriella Bedeau selected a diverse range of styles and media, including abstract, portraits, caricature, photography, digital art, and mixed media, without imposing a theme to preserve each artist's creativity. The exhibition also includes a conservation and preservation art talk on August 23 by restoration expert Surrendra Maraj, covering climate effects on artwork and forgery recognition. Featured artists include Jace-Michael Joseph, Jhad Moses, Kirsten Skinner, and Katelyn Skinner, who shared insights into their work and inspirations.

Random Sample Expands Its Footprint — and Its Vision

Random Sample, an art space in Nashville, is expanding both its physical footprint and its artistic vision. The organization is growing to accommodate more ambitious programming and a broader community engagement strategy.

Aaward-winning art retailer celebrates two decades of fine art

Hepplestone Fine Art, an award-winning art retailer in Lancashire, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Founded by Clive and his son Giles, both avid art collectors, the gallery opened in 2004 in a small space at the Carrington Centre in Eccleston. In 2010, it relocated to a purpose-built gallery at Heskin Hall Shopping Village, which allowed for expanded exhibitions and evening events. The gallery gained national recognition by winning Art Retailer of the Year from the Fine Art Trade Guild in 2016 and 2018. In 2024, it opened a second location in Wilmslow, Cheshire. A highlight was hosting the first UK gallery appearance by American artist Todd White, who continues to exhibit with them every two years. The gallery now represents emerging talents like Stockport's Lucy Manfredi and remains focused on bringing fine art to collectors both in-person and online.

Posh Somerset town's new art gallery kicks off with global exhibition of artists

A new art gallery, The Fred Levine Gallery, is opening in Bruton, Somerset, with an inaugural group exhibition titled "Landscapes of Time and Memory." The gallery, founded in 2019 by Frederick McDonald and Zsanett Der Levine, has operated nomadically in recent years, including in London, and has now chosen Bruton as a permanent location, describing it as "a special destination for contemporary art." The exhibition features eight international and UK-based artists: Rebecca Partridge, Fernando Casasempere, Silke Weißbach, Raffael Bader, Fred Sorrell, Elena Njoabuzia Onwochei Garcia, Abigail Booth, and Peter Matthews, whose works explore the relationship between landscape, history, memory, and time.

Community Space: Celebrating Local Art with the ‘Metamorphosis’ Exhibit

The Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation has launched its fifth art exhibition, 'Metamorphosis: Evolving Identities,' in the CZI Community Space in downtown Redwood City. The exhibition features 11 local artists from San Mateo County, including four teen artists, showcasing works in painting, wall sculpture, and mixed media that explore themes of transformation, growth, and self-discovery. The launch event on March 21 included panel discussions and artist talks, and the exhibit will remain on display through spring 2026.

Six Unforgettable Artists at the Biggest Independent Fair

The article reports on the return and expansion of a major independent art fair, now located on the far side of Chinatown. It highlights six standout artists whose works are featured at the fair, emphasizing the event's stylish and curated atmosphere.

A Time of Growth for Museums for Children

Children's museums across the United States are entering a significant period of expansion, with new institutions opening and existing facilities undergoing major renovations. This surge in construction and programming aims to meet increasing community demand for interactive, educational spaces designed specifically for young learners.

Why Interior Design Magazines Are Booming

The New York Times reports a significant resurgence in print interior design magazines, with titles like Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and House Beautiful experiencing substantial growth in advertising pages and newsstand sales. This revival is occurring despite the broader print media downturn and a shift towards digital content consumption.

The Emanent Museum

Artist and writer Farid Rakun, a member of the collective ruangrupa, offers a critical diagnosis of contemporary museums. He argues that institutions in his Indonesian context are either state-run and subject to unstable political direction, or privately owned and driven by colonialist, capital-accumulating mentalities. He laments the intertwining of these models, which prioritizes revenue and growth over genuine cultural service.

New dates, new venue, and a new theme: Here is what the Moncalieri emerging photography festival will look like

Nuove date, nuova sede e nuovo tema. Ecco come sarà il festival di fotografia emergente di Moncalieri

Liquida Photofestival has announced the details for its fifth edition, scheduled to take place from April 17 to 19, 2026. The independent festival dedicated to emerging contemporary photography is moving to a new venue at the Real Collegio Carlo Alberto in Moncalieri, near Turin. Under the artistic direction of Laura Tota, the upcoming edition will center on the theme "Learning and Unlearning – (re)writing the rules," featuring a program of exhibitions, talks, and publishing events built primarily through open calls.

A new issue of the Pax newsletter on cultural tourism is arriving: Previews to entice those not yet subscribed

In arrivo un nuovo numero della newsletter Pax sul turismo culturale. Le anticipazioni per ingolosire chi non è ancora abbonato

The Italian Ministry of Tourism has partnered with the audio platform Loquis to integrate sound-based storytelling into the country's official tourism portal. This initiative, led by digital entrepreneur Bruno Pellegrini, aims to preserve the memory of Italian territories while promoting future development through an "audio atlas." The project is a central feature of the upcoming issue of Artribune’s Pax newsletter, which focuses on the intersection of cultural tourism, art, and hospitality.

Beyond Weapons: Social Strength as True Defense in the Persian Gulf

Oltre le armi. La forza sociale come vera difesa nel Golfo Persico

Journalist and observer perspectives highlight that Iran’s geopolitical resilience against international military pressure stems from its vibrant middle class and deep-rooted historical identity rather than just its arsenal. Observations from travels across Iranian cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan reveal a society deeply engaged with its own culture, frequenting museums, cafes, and archaeological sites despite political isolation and a lack of foreign tourism.

Explore art’s future at Hong Kong’s Affordable Art Fair this May

Hong Kong's Affordable Art Fair (AAF) returns in May with the theme “See Art. Love Art. Own Art.”, featuring 106 local and international exhibitors—up from 98 last year—and artworks priced from HK$1,000 (US$128). The fair, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, aims to make art accessible to new and seasoned collectors alike, with a focus on transactions under US$50,000. Founder Will Ramsay highlights growing confidence in this market tier, citing a report by Affordable Art Fair × ArtTactic that shows 69% of galleries expect sales growth and that art fairs generate 44% of gallery revenues.

Booth Western Art Museum Names New Director

Dr. Eric Singleton has been appointed as the new director of the Booth Western Art Museum, set to assume the role in mid-July. He was selected after a nationwide search led by Georgia Museums President and Board Chair Lorri McClain, who praised his extensive experience, creativity, and collaborative leadership style. Singleton currently serves as the McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture and Curator of Native American Art and Ethnology at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, bringing over 25 years of museum experience to the Booth. He has previously worked at the Gilcrease Institute of American History & Art and the Philbrook Museum of Art, and holds a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University.

Art Liard Explores Nature’s Fragile Equilibrium in London

Art Liard presents a new exhibition in London exploring nature's fragile equilibrium, featuring works that examine the delicate balance of natural ecosystems. The show includes a series of paintings and installations that respond to environmental themes, highlighting the tension between growth and decay in the natural world.

‘Building from substance outward’: Art gallery to open in Stonewell Plaza

A new art gallery called THINGS! Global Experiences is opening in Stonewell Plaza in New Scotland, New York. Founded by Elena Silverman, a longtime Voorheesville resident, the space will launch on April 18 with an inaugural exhibition titled VOICES, featuring 17 local artists. Silverman, who has a background in economics and a deep connection to art through experiences like working with Cambodian hand-woven textiles, describes the gallery as a meeting point between vision and structure. The exhibition emphasizes authenticity and communication over stylistic uniformity, with works by artists including Joe Schaefer and Kris Kelly. Silverman plans to expand to a second location if the gallery establishes a strong identity.