ART COLOGNE 2025 in Cologne, Germany

ART COLOGNE 2025 — one of the oldest and most respected exhibitions of contemporary and modern art in the world. It takes place at the Koelnmesse exhibition center, Cologne, Germany.

ART COLOGNE 2025 showcases works of painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, installations, and video art.

Who should attend:

• Galleries, collectors, and art investors eager to explore and acquire high-quality contemporary art
• Young artists and projects participating in the New Positions section or sections for emerging galleries
• Curators, art critics, and cultural institutions tracking trends and artistic movements
• People interested in art in a broad sense — from renowned to experimental, from aesthetics to ideas.

Video about the ART COLOGNE 2025 exhibition

History of ART COLOGNE — roots and development

The exhibition was founded in 1967 as “Kölner Kunstmarkt” by gallerists Hein Stünke and Rudolf Zwirner.

Initially, about 16 galleries participated, attracting around 15,000 visitors for the first time. Since then, ART COLOGNE 2025 has gone through various stages: name changes, expansion of directions, design of new sections, and growth in international reach.

Names and milestones:

• From 1967 to 1975 — Kölner Kunstmarkt;
• Later — Internationaler Kunstmarkt (IKM) and, finally, ART COLOGNE 2025 since 1984 as a brand;
• Since 2009, under Daniel Hug’s management, the exhibition has refocused on high-quality galleries, artist selection, and close connections with collectors.

Advantages of ART COLOGNE over other art fairs

• International scale: approximately 150-170 galleries from various countries; visitors from 60-70 countries, passionate collectors, and cultural audiences (~45,000 people).
• Diverse price segments — you can find works for serious collections as well as more affordable pieces by emerging artists. ART COLOGNE 2025 combines premium quality with a wide range of art.
• Sections offering choice: Modern Art, Contemporary Art, Neumarkt (rare works, historical pieces), and New Positions (young talents). This caters to different tastes and budgets.
• Koelnmesse infrastructure: spacious halls, convenient logistics, transport accessibility, and services for exhibitors and visitors. This is especially important for large-scale and impactful visual presentations.
• Atmosphere: a blend of history, tradition, and new projects. ART COLOGNE 2025 offers a relaxed yet vibrant space where art is appreciated respectfully and inspirationally.

Notable galleries participating in ART COLOGNE 2025

• Sprüth Magers — an international gallery actively showcasing contemporary art, photography, and experimental formats. Their booths often feature large-scale installations and high presentation standards.
• Galerie Buchholz — one of Germany’s leading galleries, featuring artists well-known on the international scene. They typically present works with strong visual character and high collectible value.
• Galerie Karsten Greve — focused on modern and post-war art, retrospective projects, significantly contributing to the fair’s historical context.
• Galerie Opdahl — often participates with works combining classic and experimental elements, photography, and sculpture; an approach appealing to galleries, collectors, and the public.
• The Hole — a New York-based gallery showcasing works by contemporary masters and video art; they often make high-profile sales at ART COLOGNE 2025 and attract collector attention.
• Pearl Lam Galleries — an international gallery focusing on Asian and European contemporary art; their participation broadens the geographical scope and connects diverse visual cultures.

Recommendations for ART COLOGNE 2025 visitors

• Purchase your ticket in advance and review gallery sections to plan your route ahead and save time at the exhibition.
• Visit the New Positions section — here you can discover young talents, sometimes at more accessible prices with surprising artistic potential.
• Join ARTtours — a great way to learn about the context, history of the exhibition, and specifics of the showcased works through art historian guides.
• Choose a weekday or early morning on weekends for your visit: fewer visitors, a calmer atmosphere, and more opportunities to talk with gallerists.
• Don’t miss special events: award ceremonies, vernissages, late-night openings, and public programs — they often provide additional networking and inspiration.
• Utilize organizer resources: participant catalogs, hall maps, VIP services, media accreditation if needed, on-site restaurants, cafes, and rest areas.

Categories of works and services at the exhibition

• Painting and graphics — canvases, watercolors, etchings, and printmaking.
• Photography and video art — projects with video installations and multi-format works.
• Sculpture and installations — ranging from large-scale to medium-sized objects and monadic forms.
• Modern and post-war period works, rare editions, retrospective, and historical pieces.
• New artistic projects — emerging galleries, experimental formats, artistic series, and works on the edge of genres.
• Related services: framing, insurance, logistics, artwork transportation, installation and dismantling, and collector consultations.

What it takes to become an ART COLOGNE 2025 exhibitor

To participate as an exhibitor, you will need to:

• Submit an application through the official ART COLOGNE 2025 website, select a section (Galleries, New Positions, or Neumarkt), and provide a portfolio or samples of works.
• Determine booth size, lighting levels, installation, materials, and technical requirements.
• Arrange logistics: delivery and insurance of artworks, possible customs formalities, packaging, and transport.
• Prepare marketing materials: catalogs, web presentations, professional photos, and descriptions of works to help gallerists, collectors, and visitors navigate easily.
• To make your booth stand out and look professional, consider partnering with ESBAU — a professional exhibition stand builder in Europe. ESBAU offers design, production, rental of ready-made or custom booths, installation, dismantling, logistics, and on-site support, allowing you to focus on the art rather than technical details.

Applications and preparations should be completed early — the best spots at ART COLOGNE 2025 are allocated quickly, especially in central sections.

ART COLOGNE 2025 offers what many art fairs lack: a deep connection between art, collectors, and the public, a rich history, and a delicate balance between experimentation and mastery.

Whether you are a gallery, artist, collector, or simply someone with a refined sense of beauty — ART COLOGNE 2025 is not just an exhibition but an opportunity to become part of art history, forge new partnerships, and find inspiration that lasts.