Contemporary Istanbul: A Global Hub For Contemporary Art

Artsper is delighted to be media partner of Contemporary Istanbul ‘s 20th Edition. We are thrilled to celebrate two decades of artistic innovation, international dialogue, and Istanbul’s vibrant role on the global contemporary art stage.

The fair

This September, Istanbul will once again open its doors to the world of contemporary art. From 24 to 28 September 2025, the city’s historic Tersane Istanbul will host the 20th edition of Contemporary Istanbul. This represents a milestone that reflects two decades of cultural exchange and artistic innovation.

What began in 2006 as a pioneering initiative has grown into one of the most influential art fairs worldwide. Here, tradition and innovation meet. Artists from across the globe enter into dialogue against the backdrop of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Tersane, Istanbul © Contemporary Istanbul

More than just a marketplace, Contemporary Istanbul has become a cultural bridge and a powerful form of soft power. It is shaping the way Turkey and its artistic scene are perceived internationally. Nevertheless, each edition gathers a vibrant mix of galleries, collectors, curators, institutions, and art lovers. They all converge at Tersane Istanbul to share in discovery, conversation, and collaboration.

The fair continues is supported throughout this amazing journey by its main partner Akbank.

Exhibitors

One of the defining strengths of Contemporary Istanbul has always been its ability to bring together a truly global mix of galleries and artists. For its 20th anniversary edition, that diversity is more pronounced than ever. The fair gathers both established names and emerging voices, creating a landscape where different cultural perspectives meet on equal footing. Visitors will encounter leading local galleries such as Anna Laudel, Dirimart, and Art On Istanbul, alongside international heavyweights including Buchmann Gallery from Berlin and Geneva, Villa del Arte Galleries from Barcelona,  MARK HACHEM from Paris, and AWC Contemporary Gallery from Dubai. Each contributes its own curatorial vision, shaping a dialogue that stretches far beyond national borders.

A special spotlight this year falls on the United States, through the dedicated section Focus America. New York–based spaces such as Amanita, Heft Gallery, and Leila Heller Gallery join California’s Madison Gallery and London–New York hybrid Friedrichs Pontone to showcase the breadth of contemporary practice across North America. Moreover this initiative also expands into the institutional realm, forging connections with some of the most influential museums in the world: the Guggenheim, the MoMA, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as Canadian institutions like the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

2019 Contemporary Istanbul, © Contemporary Istanbul

Furthermore, the program goes beyond exhibitions to include site-specific commissions, most notably PASSAGE & MARITIME by Grimanesa Amorós. Amorós will transform the Peninsula Hotel with a monumental light installation. A poetic reflection on movement, memory, and the pulse of the city.

Through this constellation of galleries, artists, and institutions, the 20th edition of Contemporary Istanbul does more than present art. It stages encounters, encourages dialogue across continents, and underscores Istanbul’s role as a cultural bridge between East and West.

Highlights of the 20th Edition

The anniversary year brings with it a series of landmark moments that underline Contemporary Istanbul’s role as both an art fair and a cultural catalyst.

Firstly, one of the most anticipated features is the presentation of the BMW Art Car Collection, celebrating its 50th anniversary. For the first time in Turkey, two icons of the collection will stand side by side: the original car designed by Alexander Calder in 1975 and the newest addition by Julie Mehretu. This dialogue across half a century of art and design captures the spirit of innovation that Contemporary Istanbul embodies.

In addition to this, LEGO Turkey – This is the Work of Girls celebrates creativity and empowerment. Four female artists, Ece Ağırtmış, Eda Taşlı, Gökçe İrten, and Selin Tahtakılıç, have produced works that will be exhibited at the fair. Donations from the exhibition will go toward setting up LEGO play workshops in disadvantaged areas in collaboration with the SosyalBen Foundation. In this way art, education, and social impact are combined together in a truly inspiring initiative.

2019 Contemporary Istanbul, © Contemporary Istanbul

The CIF Dialogues return with the theme “Disrupted Coordinates: Istanbul and the Shifting Landscape of Art.” This year’s conversations reflect on how cultural geographies are shifting worldwide, with insights from key figures such as Jennifer Stockman (Honorary President, Guggenheim Museum), Anne Pasternak (Director, Brooklyn Museum), and artist Marina Abramović. These dialogues are not only intellectual exchanges but also a reaffirmation of Istanbul’s role as a city at the crossroads of ideas.

Deepening its global outlook, the fair also strengthens ties with leading institutions from around the world. This edition features presentations from the UBS Digital Art Museum (Hamburg), the Sigg Art Foundation (Le Castellet), the Barjeel Art Foundation (Sharjah), among others. Their participation highlights the fair’s ability to foster meaningful connections between Istanbul and the broader international art ecosystem.

Accessibility & Visitor Experience

The fair opens with a Preview Day on 24 September 2025, offering an exclusive first look at the exhibitions. This is followed by General Admission from 25 to 28 September. To make the experience even more seamless, visitors can enjoy complimentary boat shuttles to Tersane Istanbul from Kadıköy, Karaköy, and Beşiktaş piers. The boats provide a scenic and convenient journey to the heart of the fair (advance reservations are required). In a gesture to engage the next generation of art lovers, a student-only free evening will take place on 25 September. This will grant university-level students with valid ID complimentary access to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Contemporary Istanbul.

2019 Contemporary Istanbul, © Contemporary Istanbul

Collectors, get ready to explore the 20th edition of Contemporary Istanbul! Discover exceptional artworks, meet leading galleries and artists from around the world. Immerse yourself in a vibrant space of dialogue and inspiration. The fair is your chance to connect, collect, and experience the cutting edge of global contemporary art.