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Art has the power to challenge, inspire, and transform, and Melbourne Art Fair 2025 is set to be a meeting ground for bold ideas and boundary-pushing works. This year’s program brings together 70 leading galleries and Indigenous art centres, presenting a curated selection of solo shows, large-scale installations, major commissions, and immersive experiences.
Beyond the exhibition booths, the fair offers an expansive lineup of talks, panel discussions, performances, and guided tours. This is your chance to engage directly with creative visionaries and thought leaders shaping contemporary art, no matter if you’re an artist, curator, collector, or art enthusiast.
Clever Planet’s guide to the fair will help you navigate must-see exhibitions, insightful conversations, and opportunities to connect with the arts community.
Key Events for Artists to Experience
Vernissage | Opening Night Celebration
20th February | 5 pm – 9 pm
The fair opens with a Vernissage, offering early access to explore the exhibition and connect with artists, collectors, and curators. Be part of the energy as brass musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) open the night, followed by a DJ set by artist Aarti Jadu.
This is an opportunity to be among the first to experience the fair’s ambitious lineup and gain insight into the latest trends shaping contemporary art.
Ticketed event – purchase your Vernissage pass to attend.
Exhibitions & Artist Talks
Around the Table with VAULT & Tomislav Nikolic
22nd February | 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
An intimate conversation between VAULT Magazine editor, Alison Kulber, and contemporary artist, Tomislav Nikolic, this discussion offers rare insight into his practice, influence, and approach to abstraction. The 'Around the Table' format creates a relaxed setting for an engaging and thoughtful exchange.
Artists looking to explore how colour, materiality, and conceptual depth can elevate a practice should not miss this session.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
General tickets required - register in advance
TALK | Design for a Sustainable Future
21st February | 2 pm – 2:45 pm
Sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity in contemporary practice. Amy Woodroffe, Editor and Director at Værnis, leads a discussion with artists Emily Medbury and Dr. Peta Clancy (Yorta Yorta) alongside Polestar’s Head of Colour and Material Design, Maria Uggla. Together, they explore how sustainability drives innovation in design, materials, and creative practice.
This session, presented in partnership with Polestar, is essential for artists who want to integrate eco-conscious approaches into their work.
VIP Lounge, Melbourne Art Fair
General tickets required – register in advance
TOUR | Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair (VFPADF) Showcase
21st February | 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
This guided tour, led by curator Dr. Jessica Clark, highlights the work of 20 independent Victorian First Peoples artists, along with Baluk Arts, Kaiela Arts, Perridak Arts, and The Torch. The showcase brings together powerful expressions of cultural identity, tradition, and contemporary storytelling.
Meeting Point: Entrance to VFPADF Showcase Exhibition
General tickets required – register in advance
BOOTH TALK | Olga Cironis on ‘Hope’
21st February | 2 pm – 2:30 pm
Join Dr. Lisa Slade, High Ramsay Chair of Australian Art History, as she speaks with Olga Cironis about her thought-provoking work, Hope. Cironis’s practice delves into cultural memory, migration, and the unseen spaces between identity and belonging.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
General tickets required – register in advance
Art Tours & Collecting Insights
Melbourne Art Fair Tour with Artbank
23rd February | 11:30 am – 12:15 pm
This curated tour, led by Artbank experts, is an essential experience for artists considering career longevity and collectors navigating the contemporary market. Artbank’s collection includes over 11,000 artworks, and its curators regularly acquire works from emerging and established artists.
Gain insider knowledge on which artists Artbank is acquiring, trends in collecting, and practical tips on maintaining an art collection.
Meeting Point: Adjacent to VIDEO | Look for ‘Tour Meeting Point’ sign
General tickets required – register in advance
TOUR | Melbourne Art Fair Tour with ah ah ah art! Chinese Art Club
22nd February | 2 pm – 2:45 pm
A guided tour of the Melbourne Art Fair in Mandarin Chinese is presented by āh áh ǎh àrt!, a social art club that bridges the Chinese-speaking community and contemporary art. The tour enhances accessibility and engagement for Mandarin-speaking audiences, fostering deeper connections with artists and their work.
Meeting Point: Adjacent to VIDEO | Look for ‘Tour Meeting Point’ Sign
General tickets required – register in advance
A Gathering of Visionaries: The Impact of Melbourne Art Fair
The fair is a meeting place for artists, curators, and collectors to exchange ideas, discover new talent, and engage in critical conversations. This year’s program highlights urgent themes in contemporary art, from sustainability and cultural identity to the evolving role of digital media. Large-scale installations, artist-led discussions, and curated tours provide opportunities to explore different perspectives and connect with professionals shaping the future of the arts.
How To Attend
Tickets to the Melbourne Art Fair 2025 are available now. Visit the official website to reserve your spot for exhibitions, talks, and special events.
Stay tuned for exclusive coverage, behind-the-scenes insights, and interviews from Melbourne Art Fair brought to you by Clever Planet.
