The thirtieth edition of miart, the international modern and contemporary art fair directed by Nicola Ricciardi, scheduled from 17 to 19 April 2026, has been presented.
The title New Directions references John Coltrane's New Directions, on the centenary of his birth. Not an ornamental homage, but a method. Just as jazz transfigures a standard, miart takes on its own history as an open score. The identity is redesigned in the curatorial contents, in the coordinated image, in the visiting experience.
The change of location marks the most visible transition. The fair arrives in the South Wing of Allianz MiCo, overlooking CityLife. More intimate space, development on three floors, different rhythm. Not a downsizing, rather a different intensity of dialogue between the stands, a less dispersive, more concentrated use.
There will be 160 galleries from 24 countries. An arc that spans over a century, from the masters of the early and late twentieth century to the most current practices. Among the returns and first participations, Alfonso Artiaco, Bortolami, DIE GALERIE, Lyles & King, Nino Mier Gallery, Soft Opening, Trautwein Herleth, Kate Werble Gallery stand out. Solid confirmations such as GALLERIA CONTINUA, Sadie Coles HQ, MASSIMODECARLO, Lia Rumma, Tornabuoni Arte reaffirm Milan's centrality on the European scene.
Three sections. Established, with 111 galleries, remains the backbone. Established Anthology, a new metasection, works on the fractures of time, on its recursions and drifts, building short circuits between modern and contemporary. Emergent, curated by Attilia Fattori Franchini, expands its scope with 29 galleries and renews its bet on the younger generations.
An absolute novelty is Movements, a project dedicated to the moving image, born from the collaboration with the St. Moritz Art Film Festival. Curated by Stefano Rabolli Pansera intertwines the If Music theme with the miart line, proposing artists' films as visual scores. Music does not accompaniment, structure. The image does not illustrate, it vibrates.
