Art Brussels, now in its 42nd edition (April 23–26), has downsized from 164 to 138 participating galleries, a 15% reduction that allows the fair to fit entirely within one hall of Brussels Expo. Director Nele Verhaeren openly acknowledged the shift, framing it as a deliberate move toward a 'quality-first' approach that prioritizes visitor experience over sheer scale. The fair introduces a new section called Horizons, curated by Devrim Bayar of the upcoming Kanal-Pompidou museum, featuring seven large-scale works in the freed-up space. Dealers like Xavier Hufkens and Nadja Vilenne support the strategy, noting that galleries must now carefully choose which fairs to attend amid rising costs and geopolitical tensions.
This shift matters because it reflects a broader industry-wide rethinking of the art-fair model, as the contemporary art market cools and buyers gravitate toward safer assets like Old Masters. The downsizing allows Art Brussels to serve as a laboratory for new, more sustainable approaches, leveraging Brussels' unique ecosystem of mid-sized galleries, dedicated collectors, and a competitive 6% VAT on art sales. With the major Kanal-Pompidou museum opening in November and a newly formed regional government, the fair's focus on quality over quantity signals how smaller, more curated events may emerge stronger from a bloated market.