Art Events in Paris To Add To Your Calendar in 2024 

Get ready to dive into the world of contemporary art in the heart of Paris! More than ever, the City of Light is establishing itself as the place to be for contemporary art, hosting a multitude of art fairs, welcoming internationally-acclaimed artists. Don’t miss out on our selection of contemporary art fairs, blending art with culture. 

1) “Hors Pistes” Festival – Centre Pompidou: January 18th to  February 18th

The Centre Pompidou presents the “Hors Pistes” festival from January 18 to February 18, 2024. The festival offers a multi-dimensional experience, including exhibitions, film screenings, and live performances. 

This 19th edition explores the world of sports and its rigid rules, with an emphasis on the visual representation of the athletic scene. Artists rethink notions around sports such as competition, fair-play or success, and will exhibit artworks that challenge these sporting rules and norms. This discipline is currently undergoing transformations, with the intrusion of technology such as video-assisted refereeing (VAR) during matches. This festival is an invitation to explore these recent changes.

2) Art capital – Grand Palais Ephémère: February 14th to 18th

The show will welcome 2,000 artists from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines (gallery owners, collectors, professionals or enthusiasts), who will exhibit their work. With around 40,000 visitors every year for over fifteen years, it remains the largest gathering of artists in France. All types of artists are represented: architects, photographers, painters, plastic artists and sculptors… 

This contemporary art fair brings together four art fairs:

– The independent artists’ fair: Created in 1884, it was called the “Salon des Refusés” as the artists exhibiting there challenged conventional standards. Theis fair is an opportunity for artists, both emerging and well-known, to display their work at this internationally recognised event.

– The French Artists fair: It has existed for more than three centuries. For this year 2024, 700 artists were selected by a Jury.

– The Comparisons fair: This show is international and made up of 31 groups, each representing their countries. They cover a wide range of artistic trends in contemporary art.

– The watercolor drawing and painting fair: Founded in 1949 by a group of famous painters such as Masson or Villon, it showcases a range of painting techniques (including pencil, charcoal or pastel…). Renowned artists such as Chagall or Matisse have exhibited their works here since its creation.

Reservation possible

3) Drawing Now Art Fair – Le Carreau du Temple: March 21st to 24th

Established in 2007, Drawing Now Art Fair is Europe’s leading contemporary art fair focusing on contemporary drawing!

For its 17th edition, international galleries have been chosen to showcase their work on contemporary drawing over the past fifty years. This Fair welcomes 72 international galleries, an increase of 40% compared to last year’s edition! This edition will be particularly international, with 27 international galleries, representing 15 countries and 300 artists. The Drawing Now Prize rewards the work of an artist exposed on his gallery’s stand, and recognises the role played by a gallery.

Four sectors will be present: 

– The General sector welcomes well-known galleries, promoting one of their artists.

– The Insight sector presents exhibitions by one or two French or international artists, allowing visitors to be introduced to a less established artist.

– The Process sector is a live insight into the creative process of contemporary drawing, combined with various media such as photography or animation, or other areas of specialization like history.

– The Flashback sector is devoted to galleries presenting a single exhibition by an artist who produced work between 1913 and 1960.

Reservations possible

4) PAD Paris- Art + Design – Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde: April 3rd to 7th

The PAD was the first design fair to be held in 1998, and remains the leading event for international design collectors (after 24 editions). At PAD Paris, art and design enthusiasts, professionals and collectors gather and wander through an eclectic array of galleries. The largest historical and contemporary design galleries in the world are present. It unveils a variety of design objects from the realms of modern art to primitive arts, but also jewelry and ceramics…

5) Urban Art Fair – Le Carreau du Temple: April 25th to 28th

It is the first international fair dedicated to contemporary urban art, created in 2016 by Yannick Boesso. Each year, Urban Art Fair brings together around thirty French and international galleries, displaying works by over 200 artists. Collectors, professionals and amateurs come together to meet artists at different stages of their careers.

The fair is innovative and interactive, and its exhibitions operate beyond traditional spaces. The programme includes live performances, artist autographs on a variety of media, conferences with renowned street artists and guest speakers, as well as short film screenings.

 As the saying goes “Art is within everyone’s reach, as long as it is shown”. Let Paris enchant you with these art fairs and make the most of the boundless cultural wonders it offers!