Artbo 2025: Bogotá Hosted a Vibrant, Diverse Fair with Global Reach

From September 25 to 28, the Ágora Convention Center once again became the epicenter of contemporary art with the 21st edition of Artbo, Bogotá’s International Art Fair, organized by the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce. Over four days, the event brought together artists, galleries, collectors, and curators from 23 countries, consolidating its reputation as one of the most important cultural gatherings in Latin America.

A plural landscape of artistic creation

Spanning more than 9,000 square meters of exhibition space, the fair hosted 46 galleries —43% of them led by women— showcasing the work of 180 artists, supported by 32 cultural institutions, and joined by over a hundred publishers, bookstores, and distributors. Diversity was reflected both in geography —with participants from Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Costa Rica, the United States, France, Guatemala, and Uruguay, among others— and in artistic languages: 81% of works were contemporary art, 17% modern art, and 2% hybrid proposals ranging from painting and sculpture to photography, installation, and textiles.

Sections and highlights

This year introduced a new section: Trayectoria (Trajectory), dedicated to honoring established careers in the arts. The 2025 edition paid tribute to Colombian master Beatriz González, who also received the first Trayectoria Award.

Other standout sections included Artecámara, curated by Carolina Cerón, with the exhibition “And Our 21 Languages Will Ignite”, showcasing 21 emerging Colombian artists; Editoriales, curated by Felipe González (Laguna Libros), with the project “Silence Is Not Enough to Hear the Birds”, exploring the book as an artistic medium; and Articul.Arte, which offered family-friendly cultural activities.

The fair also debuted the Nominados program, designed to strengthen ties between galleries and strategic buyers, reinforcing Artbo’s role as a driving force for the regional art market.

MAP and its dual presence

Among the participating galleries, Montenegro Art Projects (MAP) stood out with a booth featuring works by Rafael Villares, Tatiana Arocha, Laura Campaz, and Jorge Luis Vaca, addressing themes such as migration, ecology, Afro-descendant identity, and historical memory. Simultaneously, MAP inaugurated “Rewritten in the Body: Contemporary Afro-Latin American Women Artists” at its Bogotá headquarters in Parque 93, curated by Sol Astrid Giraldo, featuring artists from Colombia, Cuba, and Panama.

Awards and recognitions

In addition to the homage to Beatriz González, Artbo 2025 also featured prizes celebrating innovation and artistic excellence. A highlight was the Acoplásticos Art Award, granted to artist Gabriela Pinilla, represented by Galería La Cometa. This recognition strengthens the connection between Colombia’s business sector and the art ecosystem, commissioning a large-scale work that will receive both financial support and curatorial guidance. The piece will be unveiled at the next edition of Artbo.

Beyond art: cultural and economic impact

Artbo 2025 was not only a cultural event but also an economic catalyst. Thousands of visitors boosted Bogotá’s tourism, hospitality, transportation, and gastronomy sectors. More than 200 collectors, curators, and museum directors took part in private meetings, specialized tours, and visits to private collections, strengthening networks and transactions across the art market.

A surprising visitor

One of the most talked-about moments of the fair was the discreet appearance of American rapper Kendrick Lamar, who toured the exhibition halls observing the artworks and enjoying the atmosphere. While most attendees did not recognize him, a few captured photos and videos that quickly circulated on social media, highlighting the intersection of different creative worlds and reaffirming the fair’s global resonance.

A cultural experience for the city

With free admission for minors and seniors, along with guided tours, talks, workshops, and educational activities, Artbo 2025 proved once again to be a space for dialogue and accessibility. As Ovidio Claros Polanco, Executive President of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, noted: “Art plays a fundamental role not only in cultural life but also in the economic growth of our city. It creates opportunities, generates jobs, and fosters tourism.”

After four days of creativity and reflection, Bogotá reaffirmed its place on the global contemporary art map, with Artbo standing strong as a platform where culture, society, and the art market converge.