VOLTA Unveils the Full Programme for its 21st Edition
Spotlighting Emerging Voices and Global Perspectives
Entering its third decade of championing emerging artistic voices, VOLTA Basel 2026 presents a dynamic EMERGE + ENGAGE programme of talks, tours, and special initiatives exploring the evolving global art market, contemporary Aboriginal art, and new pathways for discovering emerging talent.
Rukh Art Hub, Anastasiia Podervianska, Eva and Frog, 2016, textile, hand embroidery, 136x137cm
VOLTA returns to Basel from 17–21 June 2026 following its most successful edition to date. Now entering its third decade as a platform for trailblazing creativity, the fair continues to champion emerging talent and foster ideas that shape the future of contemporary art. Just a two-minute walk from Art Basel and Messeplatz, VOLTA 2026 will feature 78 galleries from 26 countries.
This year’s edition will present a vibrant mix of established and emerging artists, with a strong focus on experimental curatorial approaches showcased by emerging galleries in the new FRISCHE! section. VOLTA Basel 2026 will also promote cross-cultural exchange through the dedicated Pavilion Everywhen: Contemporary Aboriginal Art, while highlighting the strong local scene with the participation of 15 Swiss galleries. For the second year, Basel residents are invited to experience VOLTA and a special program with complimentary access from 19 - 21 June, 2 - 4pm, as a gesture of appreciation for the city's long-standing support of the fair.
The full list of exhibitors can be found here.
Chong Gallery, Marcos Navarro, Bruja, 2025, Oil on Linen, 130x160
VOLTA Basel full programme:
EMERGE + ENGAGE talks programmes and daily tours
The EMERGE + ENGAGE programme will continue to create a space for further conversations to unfold in real time. Through encounters, exchanges, and activations, that connect audiences to new ideas, VOLTA aims to demonstrate what it means to collect, create and connect with intention. See the full programme in this link and below.
VOLTA Introduces The 5,000 Edit
The 5000 Edit is a curated selection of artworks priced at and under CHF 5,000. The edit reflects VOLTAs longstanding commitment to the emerging market, creating opportunities to discover new artists and make informed, meaningful acquisitions. Developed in response to the to the market vibrancy under $50,000, as highlighted in the co-produced report ‘The Art Market Under $50,000’ by Ramsay Fairs, VOLTA and ArtTactic, the initiative offers an entry point for new and evolving collectors, while supporting artists at a pivotal stage in their practice.
Bringing together over 30 galleries, The 5000 edit presents a diverse selection of works available to discover today at the fair and online. Bringing together over 30 galleries, the diverse selection of works is available to view online and purchase via the galleries ahead of the fair. Collectors can discover the works in person through a dedicated display and in-booth markers highlighting participating galleries.
VOLTA Announces Xavier Lust as 2026 Design Partner
Xavier Lust joins VOLTA Basel 2026 as the fair’s Design Partner, presenting sculptural furniture works throughout the fair and within the VIP lounge. Founded in Brussels in 1992, Lust’s internationally acclaimed practice spans collaborations with leading design houses, limited-edition works exhibited by major international galleries and fairs such as Salone del Mobile, Milan. His work is held in private collections and at cultural institutions such as Centre Pompidou and Tate. At VOLTA, his pieces provide elegant and contemplative spaces for visitors and collectors to contemplate acquisitions in a thoughtful and design-led environment.
Lee Cavaliere, VOLTA Artistic Director:
“I am thrilled Xavier Lust is coming on board as VOLTA’s 2026 Design Partner. His endless innovation and willingness to try something new is very much in the VOLTA spirit. Whether admiring the view from his multi-award winning benches at Tate Modern’s member’s lounge, or enjoying the crisp minimalism of the iconic ‘Le Banc' benches on Hong Kong waterfront, his work has been part of my artistic life for decades. The pieces will lend a real grace and elegance to our lounge, giving collectors a wonderful environment to contemplate the discoveries they’ve made at VOLTA.”
Xavier Lust, Source Reflecteur. Photo: Nicolas Schimp
Wednesday, 17 June
10:00 - 14:00 — VIP Collectors Preview - by invitation only. Paid access from 14:00 to 20:00.
Thursday, 18 June
12:00 — EMERGE + ENGAGE Talk
Everywhen in Practice: Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art Across Time, Place and Platform
Speakers:
Adam Knight, Founder, Adam Knight Fine Art,
Naomi Hobson, Artist, represented by Rebecca Hossack Gallery
Jasmine Coe, Founder, Coe Contemporary
Onome Ekeh, FHNW, Institute of Gender, Art and Nature
Moderator: Tamsin Hong, Curator, Serpentine
Bringing together artists, gallerists, and institutional voices, the discussion will highlight the breadth of work across VOLTA’s 2026 Pavilion Everywhen: Contemporary Aboriginal Art, from foundational figures such as Emily Kam Kngwarreye and Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri to contemporary practitioners. The conversation will also critically address the evolving role of galleries, foundations, and international platforms in representing Aboriginal artists and communities. It will consider how these relationships can move beyond historical frameworks toward more equitable, community-led, and culturally informed models of collaboration.
14:00 — EMERGE + ENGAGE Talk
Shifting Grounds: Geopolitics and the Evolving Global Art Market
Speakers:
Lee Cavaliere, Artistic Director, VOLTA
Emilia de Stasio, Founder, Artscapy
Anders Petterson, Founder & CEO, ArtTactic
Adriano Picinati di Torcello, Director, Global Art & Finance, Deloitte
Moderator: Tallulah Bär, Cultural Strategist, Afroswissters
This panel will examine the shifting geopolitical dynamics shaping the global art market over the past year. Building on insights from the previous edition, the discussion will explore key developments, including market volatility, evolving collector behaviour, and the increasing democratisation of access to art. Focus will be given to the growing certainty in the sub-$50K market, drawing on findings from the VOLTA report produced in collaboration with ArtTactic, alongside broader data reflected in the UBS Art Market Report.
EMERGE + ENGAGE Talk VOLTA 2025. Credit: Casey Kelbaugh
Friday, 19 June
12:00 — EMERGE + ENGAGE: Peacebuilding and Art Curated Tour
Led by Dr. Gal Harmat, Senior Researcher at Swisspeace, this guided tour explores themes of peacebuilding, geopolitics, cultural identity and art as a diplomatic tool through selected presentations across more than 20 galleries.
14:00 – 16:00 — Liebs Basel, in partnership with This is Basel
Complimentary entry for Basel residents to explore the fair. Includes a performance by Korean artist and percussionist Sori Choi, represented by Art in Dongsan (Seoul, South Korea), who will present a short percussion-based performance connected to his VISIBLE SOUND practice. In collaboration with Theatre Basel, a performance of Dark Matter will take place. Performed by a duet, the performance provides a multifaceted insight into the unique world of Marco Goecke and condenses over 25 years of his work into a compact, impressive experience.
17:00 – 20:00 — Frische! Friday
Discover emerging talent across the fair alongside complimentary cocktails by Ale & Bread and DJ set by Alma Negra. The DJ duo Dersu and Diego Figueira’s eclectic DJ sets are anchored in the world’s diverse rhythms. Participating artists from the FRISCHE! section will be present throughout the evening for conversations around their work and practice. For over 20 years, VOLTA has defined access to the Basel art week market and dynamically adapted to the market needs of gallerists and collectors. Frische! offers galleries an access point to be a key Basel Art Week player and aims to set galleries on a trajectory up through the market.
Saturday, 20 June
12:00 — EMERGE + ENGAGE: Peacebuilding and Art Curated Tour (as above)
14:00 – 16:00 — Liebs Basel
Complimentary entry for Basel residents (as above).
Sunday, 21 June
12:00 — EMERGE + ENGAGE Tour
A curated tour of fair highlights led by VOLTA’s Artistic Director Lee Cavaliere.
14:00 – 16:00 — Liebs Basel
Complimentary entry for Basel residents.
CAMP, Karola Pezarro, Beyond the Sea 7, 2025, 89.5 x 43cm, Thread, polyester yarn, felt and Voile
For international media enquiries, please contact:
Alfonso Cabello and Vassia Gkogkou – Pickles PR
alfonso@picklespr.com | +34 687394056
vassia@picklespr.com | +44 7922008697
For DACH media enquiries, please contact:
Manuela Schlumpf - Pickles PR
manuela@picklespr.com | +41 765339944
Contact at VOLTA Basel:
Emily Bunn - VOLTA Marketing Manager
press@voltashow.com | +44 7900214706
Notes to Editors
High-resolution images are available on request.
Press Accreditation
For press accreditation, please submit your registration information:
https://www.voltaartfairs.com/press-accreditation
VOLTA 2026 Opening Hours
Tuesday 16 June: VIP First Look: 6 - 8pm, strictly invitation only
Wednesday 17 June: VIP Preview 10am - 2pm, Public Hours 2 - 8pm
Thursday 18 June: 10am - 7pm
Friday 19 June: 10am - 8pm
Saturday 20 June: 11am - 7pm
Sunday 21 June: 11am - 5pm
Tickets on sale now
Follow us on Instagram at @voltaartfairs for ticket offers and further news from our galleries and artists.
Media Partners:
The Art Newspaper
Kunstbulletin
Weltkunst
PROZ
Collectors Agenda
Follow.Art
Artscapy
My Art Guides
Cultural Partners:
This is Basel
Swisspeace
Theater Basel
Fondation Burkhardt-Felder
VITRA Design Museum
Follow.Art
Design Partner:
Xavier Lust
Hotel Partners:
City Pop
Hotel Victoria and Hotel Pullman Europe
VIP Competition Partners
Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
La Réserve Eden au Lac, Zurich
Monocle
Polestar
Food and Beverage:
Meyer Kever Culinarium
Laurent Perrier
Brändli Bomben
Bread & Ale
About VOLTA Art Fairs
As a globally recognised contemporary art fair, VOLTA powers artistic discovery and is part of the Ramsay Fairs group. Founded in 2005 in Basel, the fair presents art collectors with the opportunity to discover and connect with international artists and their stories. With VOLTA, art collectors and art enthusiasts can acquire emerging artistic talent and work that reflects the changing world we live in.
At its heart, VOLTA is about the power of community coming together in real life. As an internationally focussed fair, VOLTA brings together a diverse range of artists and gallerists from across the globe to one place, one moment, during Art Week in Basel. These stories reflect the world that we live in – its environmental and societal challenges, its beauty and hope, and stories of global identities and dialogues within these contexts. The fair has long been a springboard for emerging talent and an incubator for ideas that shape the future of contemporary art.
About Fondation Burkhardt-Felder
In 2008, the Fondation Burkhardt-Felder opened its museum dedicated to Australian Aboriginal Art. Drawing on a collection assembled by its founders Gérard and Theresa Burkhardt-Felder, it promotes contemporary art of First Nations Australians. The museum, located in Môtiers, in the heart of Val-de-Travers (Neuchâtel/Switzerland), invites the public to discover the remarkable diversity and singularity of ‘the last great artistic movement of the 20th century’ (Robert Hughes).
The Fondation Burkhardt-Felder and its museum of Australian Aboriginal Art is honoured to be a cultural partner of VOLTA's 2026 Pavilion, and excited to participate in the promotion of First Nation Australians’ art during this exceptional fair.
About This is Basel
This is Basel promotes Basel’s vibrant art and culture scene to local and international audiences. The organization showcases the city’s museums, festivals, and contemporary cultural programming through curated storytelling. As a cultural partner of VOLTA, Basel Tourismus is committed to strengthening access to contemporary art and highlighting Basel as a leading European hub for culture and creativity.