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Art market news
Exhibitions, institutions and people shaping the local art landscape.
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Local ·
Canberra Collector to Auction $10 Million Australian Art Collection
Deutscher and Hackett will auction 28 Australian artworks from a private Canberra collection valued between $7.2 million and $10 million on 14 October 2026.Local ·
Avatar: Forms of Vishnu Exhibition Concludes at Art Gallery of New South Wales
The first major Australian exhibition dedicated to Vishnu, featuring nearly 200 works spanning fifteen centuries, concluded at Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales on 5 October 2026.Global context ·
Untitled Art, Houston Brings Together 98 Galleries Showcasing Local and International Talent
The second edition of Untitled Art, Houston, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, featured 98 galleries, highlighting Houston’s vibrant art scene alongside international exhibitors.Global context ·
Global Art Market Sees 4% Growth with Auction Sales Leading the Way
The global art market expanded by 4% year-on-year to reach an estimated USD 59.6 billion, driven notably by a 9% rise in public auction sales, according to the latest Art Basel and UBS report.Global context ·
Art Basel and UBS Launch Series Exploring Digital Art Evolution
On 30 September 2026, Art Basel and UBS released the first episode of a five-part series examining how technology has shaped art from the 1960s to today.Global context ·
Turner’s £50m Painting Goes on Display in Rome Ahead of Sotheby’s Auction
J.M.W. Turner’s painting 'Rome, from Mount Aventine' has been unveiled in Rome for a limited exhibition before its highly anticipated auction at Sotheby’s London this December.Local ·
ACCA Relaunches NEW Exhibition Series with NEW26 Featuring Seven Contemporary Artists
The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) has reopened its influential NEW exhibition series with NEW26, showcasing seven leading contemporary artists from across Australia.Global context ·
Christie’s Hosts Four Auctions During Paris Art Week 2026 with Over €100 Million in Artworks
Christie’s held four major auctions in Paris on 22 and 23 October 2026, featuring landmark collections and artworks valued at more than €100 million.Global context ·
Abstract Paintings Featured at New York Art Fair
Eight abstract paintings with varied compositions were presented at a New York art fair, with prices ranging from $100,000 to $200,000.Global context ·
Swiss Artist Renée Levi Transforms London’s Hayward Gallery with Bold New Façade
A new two-panel artwork titled September by Swiss painter Renée Levi has been installed on the façade of London’s Brutalist Hayward Gallery, on display from late September to mid-November 2026.Global context ·
Berlin’s Young Gallery Heidi Moves to London’s Dynamic Art Scene
Heidi, a gallery previously based in Berlin, has relocated to London, drawn by the city’s openness to experimental and subcultural art.Global context ·
MoMA Exhibition Explores Body Politics and Public Space Through Feminist and Intersectional Lenses
The Museum of Modern Art in New York has opened an exhibition that revisits feminist art and expands the conversation on body politics in public spaces through contemporary photography.Global context ·
Vancouver City Council Establishes Cultural Land Trust to Address Artists’ Affordability Crisis
Facing a persistent affordability crisis for artists, Vancouver’s city council has unanimously approved the creation of a cultural land trust, aiming to secure long-term spaces for cultural use and artist housing.Global context ·
Independent 20th Century Returns to Breuer with Expanded Lineup
The Independent 20th Century art fair is set to take place at the Breuer building from 24 to 27 September 2026, featuring a 75% increase in size and presenting works by over 130 artists through approximately 57 exhibitors.Global context ·
Art Basel Paris 2026: 211 Exhibitors and New Directions Under Karim Crippa
Art Basel Paris returns to the Grand Palais from October 23 to 25, 2026, for its fifth edition, featuring 211 exhibitors from 41 countries and territories. This marks the first year under the direction of Karim Crippa.Global context ·
Dutch Museum Displays All 88 Van Gogh Paintings Together for First Time in Over 20 Years
The Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands has brought together its entire collection of 88 Van Gogh paintings in a single exhibition, marking the first time in more than two decades that all works have been shown simultaneously.Global context ·
Blue-chip artists headline Christie’s Hong Kong sales in late September
Christie’s is set to present a remarkable collection of Modern and contemporary art at its Hong Kong auctions on 29 and 30 September 2026, featuring works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, and Zao Wou-Ki.Global context ·
New York Galleries Embrace Pop-Ups and Collaborations to Stay Agile
New York’s gallery scene is shifting towards flexible use of space, with pop-ups, shared premises and short leases becoming common strategies to manage costs and test new markets.Global context ·
18th Biennale de Lyon Opens Under Australian-Born Curator
The 18th Biennale de Lyon opened on 19 September 2026, curated by Australian-born, Berlin-based Catherine Nichols, and features a range of contemporary artworks.Global context ·
Monet’s ‘Iris’ to Lead Schlumberger Collection Auction in Paris
Sotheby’s Paris will auction 28 works from the Schlumberger collection, with Monet’s ‘Iris’ expected to achieve a record price for a painting sold in France.Global context ·
UNESCO and ICOM Reveal Museums’ Growing Use of AI Amid Governance Gaps
A global survey released on 17 September 2026 highlights that over half of museums worldwide are adopting artificial intelligence, though many lack formal policies and staff training.Global context ·
Musica Libera: Two New Events Announced for the 70th International Contemporary Music Festival
The 70th International Contemporary Music Festival by La Biennale di Venezia will feature two new live performances at the Venice Giudecca women's prison, highlighting collaboration between inmates and young musicians.Local ·
Creative Australia to Support 20 Arts Organisations with Fundraising Training in 2027
Creative Australia has announced it will back 20 arts organisations to enhance their fundraising skills through the Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) learning program in 2027.Global context ·
Winners of 2026 Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts Announced
Eight Canadian artists have been named recipients of the 2026 Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts, recognising outstanding contributions across various disciplines.Local ·
Over $2 Million Invested to Expand Australian Live Music and Performance Tours
Creative Australia has announced an investment exceeding $2 million to support national touring programs, aiming to bring live music and performance to communities across the country.Global context ·
Biennale di Venezia Opens Calls for Two New Choreographies for 2027 Dance Festival
The Biennale di Venezia has launched national and international calls for two original choreographic works to premiere at the 2027 Biennale Danza, with submissions open until 20 October 2026.Global context ·
Swiss Museum’s Donation Grows as Unopened Portfolios Reveal Extra Works
A recent donation to the Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds has expanded significantly after unopened portfolios revealed more artworks than initially expected.Global context ·
UK to Standardise Auction Data as Sector Unites Behind New Trade Body
The UK is set to introduce a standardised system for recording auction sales of art and antiques, coinciding with calls for a new trade body to represent the visual arts sector.Global context ·
Eight Art Writers Awarded $50,000 Each in 2026 Rabkin Prize
The Dorothea and Leo Rabkin Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2026 Rabkin Prize, granting $50,000 to each of eight distinguished art writers in the United States.Local ·
Music Australia launches national initiative to boost student songwriting and recording
Music Australia has introduced the National Songwriting and Recording in Schools Stimulus, a matched funding program aimed at expanding contemporary music opportunities for students across the country.Global context ·
New Museum Acquisitions: French Gothic Revival Mask and Tudor Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I
Recent acquisitions by the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the Art Gallery of South Australia have brought a rare French ceramic mask and the first Tudor portrait of Queen Elizabeth I to an Australian public collection.Local ·
National Portrait Gallery Publishes Two-Year 'What's On' Calendar
The National Portrait Gallery in Australia has published its 'What's On' calendar, outlining events from 30 August 2026 to 30 August 2028.Local ·
National Portrait Gallery Launches Workshops and Drawing Program
Starting 30 August 2026, the National Portrait Gallery in Australia will host a series of workshops and drawing sessions running until August 2028.Local ·
NGV Opens Plant Life: The Nature of Design with Free Entry
Plant Life: The Nature of Design is on view at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia from 28 August 2026 to 7 February 2027 with free entry.Global context ·
Sydney Contemporary Marks Its 10th Edition at Carriageworks
Sydney Contemporary will bring more than 100 galleries and over 500 artists to Carriageworks from 3 to 6 September 2026 for its tenth edition.Local ·
Tickets Now Available for Sydney Contemporary 2026 Featuring Tim Olsen
Sydney Contemporary 2026 tickets have gone on sale, with the event set to run from 2 to 6 September at Carriageworks, Sydney, showcasing artists including Tim Olsen.Local ·
Deutscher + Hackett Reports Strong Results at Melbourne Fine Art Auction
On 26 August 2026, Deutscher + Hackett’s Important Australian and International Fine Art auction in Melbourne achieved a total of A$11.7 million, with notably high clearance rates.Local ·
National Portrait Gallery Announces Two-Year Family Activities Program
The National Portrait Gallery in Canberra will offer a family activities program from August 26, 2026, to August 26, 2028.Local ·
Touchy Sculpture Tour Set for Sydney’s Alexandria and Chippendale
A guided sculpture event, Touchy Sculpture, will take place on 4 September 2026 as part of Sydney Contemporary’s program.Local ·
Creative Australia Opens Applications for Leadership Skills Workshops Across Four Cities
Creative Australia has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) process for its upcoming Leadership Skills Workshops, with sessions scheduled in Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, and Melbourne between October and November 2026.Local ·
Sandra Black to Speak at Sydney Contemporary 2026
Artist Sandra Black will give a booth talk at Sydney Contemporary, taking place at Carriageworks in Sydney.Global context ·
Nigel Hewitt and Tony Windberg to Speak at Sydney Contemporary
Artists Nigel Hewitt and Tony Windberg will present a joint booth talk at Sydney Contemporary on 3 September 2026.Local ·
National Portrait Gallery Announces Two-Year Family and Portrait Events Calendar
The National Portrait Gallery in Canberra has released a two-year calendar of family and portrait events, running from August 2026 to August 2028.Local ·
Collectors to Discuss Why They Collect at Sydney Contemporary 2026
The talk Why We Collect: Collectors In Conversation will bring collectors and curator Sebastian Goldspink together at Sydney Contemporary on 5 September 2026.Local ·
John McDonald and Michael Reid to Discuss the Future of Art Criticism
The Last Critic Standing will bring John McDonald and Michael Reid together at Sydney Contemporary on 5 September 2026 for a discussion about Australian art criticism.Local ·