2026 could have been a strong year for international art fairs in Vienna. However, at the very beginning of the year, several high-profile cancellations reshaped Austria’s art market for the year ahead. Both the SPARK Art Fair Vienna and viennacontemporary will not take place, and the Art & Antique in Salzburg has also been cancelled. These withdrawals are not isolated incidents but reflect trends that have been developing over recent years.

SPARK Art Fair Vienna – Strategic Pause Instead of a Fair

The SPARK Art Fair Vienna, which had planned its fifth edition for 2026, announced a temporary suspension, officially calling it a “strategic pause.” The internationally recognized format, which consistently focused on solo presentations and most recently brought together around 89 galleries from 19 countries, is still regarded in professional circles as one of Europe’s most curatorially rigorous art fairs.

Instead of holding a fair, the organizers announced a broad discussion aimed at rethinking Vienna as an art and fair hub. Beneath the diplomatic language, however, lie economic challenges and a noticeable market slowdown – issues that affect not only Vienna but the global art market as a whole.

viennacontemporary – Structural and Financial Gaps

Austria’s leading international art fair, viennacontemporary, was also cancelled for 2026. Unlike SPARK, its cancellation reflects more of a structural rupture than a temporary pause. According to management, the fair in its previous form was no longer financially viable; rising costs, the withdrawal of key sponsors, and unresolved ownership and trademark issues compounded the situation.

Despite some successful past editions – including experiments with a new curatorial approach – the format could not be stabilized in the long term. For Vienna, this represents a significant loss of international visibility in the fair calendar.

Art & Antique Salzburg – The End of a Tradition

Outside Vienna, established formats are also affected. The Art & Antique in Salzburg, traditionally held at Easter, will no longer take place. Here, it was less a matter of the market and more a question of venue: the historic rooms of the Alte Residenz were no longer approved for use, with heritage and UNESCO status making continuation impossible.

These cancellations hit Vienna and Austria at a time when the global art market is already undergoing major shifts: rising costs, more selective collecting, and a concentration on a few major flagship fairs are putting smaller and national formats under increasing pressure.

At the same time, it is emphasized that these setbacks do not necessarily mark the end. Comebacks are already planned for 2027 – both the SPARK Art Fair Vienna and STAGE Bregenz intend to return with revised concepts. How and whether new, sustainable fair models will emerge will be crucial for Vienna’s future position as an international art hub.

curated by – Vienna Galleries Festival

Amid these disruptions, one event stands out in 2026: curated by, the Vienna Galleries Festival (Opening Weekend: 11–13 September / Festival: 15 September – 17 October 2026, Vienna). Around 20–25 galleries invite international curators to develop independent exhibitions under a shared thematic umbrella. This approach generates a wide range of thematic explorations and showcases art works across diverse curatorial concepts.

An Open Call in January 2026 will determine the participating galleries, before the festival kicks off in the autumn with the Opening Weekend and continues over several weeks to present a rich spectrum of contemporary art in Vienna. In a year without major fairs, curated by is set to become the key meeting point for galleries, collectors, and curators in Austria. Against the backdrop of other cancellations, it could demonstrate that presenting art and engaging with the market can succeed even outside traditional fair formats

Efficient and Cost-Effective Art Transport with Moviiu

In a year where many fairs and events are being canceled at short notice and the art market is under pressure, efficient and affordable solutions for transporting artworks have become more important than ever. Moviiu enables galleries, collectors, artists, and lenders to move artworks safely, reliably, and cost-effectively between exhibition spaces and collectors. This ensures not only the protection of the artworks but also a smooth, stress-free logistics process – allowing everyone involved to focus on what truly matters: the art itself.