Artsy spoke with 12 leading collectors about the artists, exhibitions, and trends they are most excited to follow in 2026. Highlights include the re-centering of women artists, the rise of South Asian and LGBTQ+ artists, and the impact of AI on gallery operations. Collectors point to major institutional milestones such as LACMA's new campus, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Venice Biennale, and Art Basel's expansion into Qatar, as well as specific shows like Claire Tabouret's stained-glass commission for Notre-Dame and the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
This article matters because it offers a curated, insider perspective on the year ahead from influential collectors who shape market trends and institutional priorities. Their insights reveal shifting focus toward underrepresented artists and regions, the growing role of technology in art acquisition, and the importance of queer and diasporic narratives in major exhibitions. For art professionals and enthusiasts, it serves as a barometer for where attention and capital will flow in 2026.