Press Release | VOLTA at 20: The Fair Announces its Public Programme that Unites Basel’s Art Community with the Global Market
Celebrating two decades of championing emerging artistic voices, VOLTA Basel 2025 presents a lineup of discussions and initiatives exploring geopolitical shifts, gender equity, and a focus on the evolving ecosystem of the emerging art market.
Basel, Switzerland - VOLTA Basel marks its 20th anniversary edition from 19 – 22 June (VIP Collectors Preview, 18 June), at its new venue Hall 4.U, Messeplatz 21. The milestone edition features over 70 galleries from 29 countries. The diverse ENGAGE & EMERGE programme underscores VOLTA's enduring commitment to showcasing emerging and underrepresented artists on a global stage. The fair's programming delves into pressing themes shaping the contemporary and emerging art landscape: the rise of women in the art market, the impact of geopolitics on the cultural landscape, and the dynamics of local, national, and international arts ecosystems.
Warin Lab Contemporary at VOLTA Basel, 2024. Image by Nicholas Winter Photography.
ENGAGE | VOLTA Talks Programme | In the Talks Area
Thursday, 19 June| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Geopolitics of the Art Market
Curated and moderated by Tallulah Patricia Bär
Cultural strategist and AfroSwissters founder Tallulah Patricia Bär leads a discussion on how shifting global power structures are redefining cultural capital and artistic value. Speakers include Adriano Picinati di Torcello, Global Art and Finance at Deloitte; Lee Cavaliere, Artistic Director, VOLTA and Julia Lechbiska, Founder of Lechbinska Gallery.
Thursday, 19 June | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Women on the Rise: A Gendered Power Shift?
Moderated by Alexandra Steinacker-Clark
Exploring the increasing prominence of women in the art world, this panel examines whether gender equity is becoming a reality for artists and gallerists. Speakers include Chus Martínez, Head of the Institute Art Gender Nature, FHNW Academy of Art and Design, Marie Isabelle Poiere Troyano, Artist and Loewe Craft Prize Shortlisted artist, Kimia Nakhaei, International Manager of Mojdeh Gallery, Iran.
Switzerland in Focus
Friday, 20 June | Liebs Basel, Viele Dangg VOLTA | 11:00AM – 4:00PM
Basel residents are invited to enjoy a complimentary day at VOLTA on Friday 20th June. As a gesture of appreciation for the city's long-standing support of the fair - VOLTA says thank you. This special initiative invites the local community to explore and collect a diverse range of contemporary art from around the world, discover local and international galleries, and connect with artists and curators.
Friday, 20 June | EMERGE | 5:00PM – 9:00PM
An evening that deep dives into the emerging arts ecosystem in Basel, Switzerland and beyond. In partnership with the magazine PROZ - Kultur im Raum Basel.
From Local to Global – How Artists and Galleries Break Through | 6:00PM – 7:00PM
This evening panel discusses the pathways through which artists and galleries transition from local recognition to international acclaim, highlighting the support systems necessary for such growth. Moderated by curator and art historian Carrie Scott. Speakers include Keabetswe Boccomino, Curator of Afrinova; Katharina Brandl, Head of Visual Arts at Pro Helvetia; Lee Cavaliere, Artistic Director, VOLTA; and Stevenson Dunn Jr., Co-Founder of The Bishop Gallery.
Please find images and information about each of the speakers here.
Photograph by Phillip Reed
Please find the full list of exhibitors in this link.
VOLTA Basel 2025
Hall 4.U, Messeplatz 21, Basel (2 min. walk from Art Basel and Messeplatz)
Press Preview: Wednesday 18 June, 09:30 (Press accreditation requests here)
VIP Collectors Preview: Wednesday 18 June 10:00 - 14:00 (Invitation Only), 14:00 - 20:00 (General Admission)
Public days: Thursday 19 - Sunday 22 June
Liebs Basel, Viele Dangg, VOLTA:
Friday 20 June, 11:00 – 16:00 (complimentary entry for all Basel residents)
The full press release and additional information can be found in our digital press kit and at voltaartfairs.com. Please find a document with the curatorial themes here.
High-resolution images are available on request.
Follow @voltaartfairs to stay updated.
Press Accreditation: For press accreditation, please submit your registration information HERE.
Media Contact at Pickles PR:
Alfonso Cabello | alfonso@picklespr.com
Vassia Gkogkou | vassia@picklespr.com
Media Contact at VOLTA Basel:
Emily Bunn | Marketing Manager | press@voltashow.com
Note to Editors
About VOLTA Art Fairs:
As a globally recognized contemporary art fair, VOLTA powers artistic discovery. Founded in 2005 in Basel and now part of the Ramsay Fairs group, the fair presents art collectors with the opportunity to discover and connect with international artists and their stories. At VOLTA, art collectors and art enthusiasts can acquire emerging artistic talent and work that reflects the changing world we live in.
VOLTA is renowned for spotlighting emerging artists and being a springboard to market for ambitious new galleries, breaking down boundaries and amplifying voices historically overlooked. VOLTA returns to Basel from 19 to 22 June 2025 (VIP preview 18 June) to present over 70 galleries. 2025 marks its 20th anniversary edition and the fair will relocate to Hall 4.U, Messeplatz 21 - a 4000 squared metres new space, 200m from the heart of Art Week and the central Messe in Basel.
General Fair Information - VOLTA Basel
Public Hours: Thursday 19 - Sunday 22 June 2025
VIP Collectors Preview: Wednesday 18 June 2025
Liebs Basel, Viele Dangg, VOLTA: Friday 20 June 2025 (11:00 – 16:00)
Tickets on sale now: voltaartfairs.com/tickets
More information: voltaartfairs.com/basel
Address: Hall 4.U, Messeplatz 21, Basel
(From Art Basel and the central Messeplatz, Hall 4.U is a 2-minute walk. Cross over Riehenring to the Congress Center and you will see the entrance to VOLTA.
Opening hours:
Wednesday 18 June: 10:00 – 20:00
Thursday 19 June: 11:00 – 20:00
Friday 20 June: 11:00 – 21:00
Saturday 21 June: 11:00 -19:00
Sunday 22 June: 11:00 – 18:00
Join us as we celebrate two decades of artistic discovery, forging connections between artists, galleries, and collectors. Stay updated at voltaartfairs.com and follow @voltaartfairs.
