Art Cairo, Egypt’s leading international art fair and the foremost platform dedicated to Arab art and Arab voices, announces its seventh edition taking place from 22 to 26 January 2026 at the Grand Egyptian Museum, with the programme commencing on 22 January with an exclusive VIP preview before welcoming the wider public.
The 2026 fair will unfold under the annual theme Arab. Art. Here inspired by the words of Mahmoud Darwish “This is my language, my miracle, my magic wand”. The theme celebrates the Arabic language as a living art form, a bridge between past and present, and a source of creative expression that continues to inspire artists and audiences alike. It reflects the poetic power of words and their ability to translate feeling, memory, and imagination into art.
Returning once again to the Grand Egyptian Museum, now in its fourth year as the home of Art Cairo, the fair continues to thrive at the intersection of heritage and contemporary creativity. The GEM officially opened on 1 November 2025 in a landmark celebration, affirming its place as the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization and a defining cultural landmark for Egypt. With its scale, ambition and global significance, the museum represents a new chapter for cultural and artistic exchange in the country. Hosting Art Cairo immediately after the opening reflects a natural continuation of this momentum, bringing one of Egypt’s most important contemporary art moments into the heart of its most iconic cultural institution and reinforcing the growth and confidence of the cultural scene.
Speaking about the upcoming edition, Mohammed Younis, Founder and Director of Art Cairo, said: “We are delighted to welcome back Art Cairo for its seventh edition, building on the growing success of previous years. This fair was created as a platform for Arab artists and galleries to thrive, and to offer a space that feels accessible and inspiring to everyone — from loyal and young collectors to visitors who simply love to experience art. Our mission has always been to nurture the regional art ecosystem and continue shaping a homegrown dialogue around creativity and culture.”
Building on the momentum of its previous editions, Art Cairo 2026 will bring together leading galleries from across the Arab world and beyond. With the return of renowned galleries coming from Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, the fair will also welcome a diverse selection of regional and international participants, including galleries from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, Senegal, and Nigeria.
This year’s edition will also pay tribute to Guirguis Lotfi, honoring his lifetime contribution to Egypt’s artistic landscape and his lasting influence on contemporary art.
The sixth edition of Art Cairo recorded remarkable growth and engagement, welcoming over 15, 000 visitors throughout its five days at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Reflecting the fair’s rising influence in the regional art market, total sales exceeded USD 1, 2 million, marking one of the fair’s most successful edition to date.
Press release from Art Cairo
Image: Installation view of Villa Azad, Art Cairo, 2025. Image courtesy of Art Cairo
