ArtVilnius

ArtVilnius is the only contemporary art fair in Lithuania and the Baltic states; as well, the largest event of visual arts in Eastern Europe. Annually, the Fair included around 60 galleries and 300 artists from some 20 countries. By inviting foreign collectors, museums and curators, we aim at presenting the most vibrant and authentic Baltic&Eastern Europe art scene. With ArtVilnius, it is very important for us not only to highlight the commercial aspect of the Fair but also to reflect contemporary art developments. Therefore, every year ArtVilnius features an ambitious additional programme: special project zone where famous art foundations, museums present their curated exhibitions; to support young artists we organise an exhibition of sculptures and installations Takas (The Path). We held discussion panels, talks, conferences about art and art market, side by side events in Vilnius (Night at the gallery, special openings for our guests), and an exclusive VIP programme for local and international art collectors.

ArtVilnius presents not only the Eastern Europe art scene; we have participants from countries like France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Austria, etc. Such a broad international participants spectrum ensures the international dynamics for our visitors and art collectors who often don’t have time to visit foreigner art fairs. Every year, the Fair’s selection committee choose galleries according to their presented artists and art proposals. Most galleries have been participants at the Fair for many years, so art buyers memorise and return to them. We always invite galleries to present their emerging artists together with already know ones, so the art buyers and collectors can always discover new names.

At ArtVilnius, the price scale goes from €500 to €30.000 and more. This broad price range ensures that both new art buyers and experienced art collectors find their desired pieces. However, the artworks purchasing process doesn’t stop with the end of the art fair; as well all know, it moves to the galleries, where many transactions are finalised after the Fair.

Last year, during the four days of ArtVilnius, the Fair was visited by 23.100 visitors. The Fair’s audience is very diverse – it’s one of our objectives to make ArtVilnius accessible for all ages visitors. Next to the art collectors, art professionals, we have curious art lovers, students that we are slowly educating to become art buyers. As well, we organise an interactive educational project zone for all ages visitors. To our VIP events, previews we receive many business people, looking to invest in new art.

This year instead of the paper catalogue, we decided to create a digital one on our website www.artvilnius.com. In this way, our participant’s artworks will be more accessible to a broader audience that cannot visit the Fair.

Almost every year with my team, I visit the art fair ARCOmadrid. It’s a big Fair, and we enjoy the well-organised structure, booths architecture and its attention to all participants, and not only galleries but also business partners and sponsors.
Second Fair we visit often is the viennacontemporary with a vibrant selection of galleries that includes Eastern European ones you wouldn’t often see in other Fairs.