Art Rotterdam 2027 returns to Ahoy with Unseen Photo and Book Market

HAPPENING 19-21 MAR '27 | Art Rotterdam returns to Rotterdam Ahoy from 19 to 21 March 2027, bringing contemporary art, photography, sculpture, installations and video art together under one roof. This edition sees the Unseen Book Market move onto the main exhibition floor, while two newly appointed head curators take charge of the artistic programmes for Art Rotterdam and Unseen Photo.

ROTTERDAM, 30 October 2026 - Following its 2026 edition, which brought Art Rotterdam and Unseen Photo together for the first time, the contemporary art fair is preparing to return to Ahoy in March 2027. Visitors will once again be able to explore work presented by galleries from the Netherlands and abroad, alongside curated sections devoted to emerging artists, photography, moving images and sculpture.

The biggest developments announced so far concern Unseen Photo. Its photography galleries will be presented in a more clearly defined area of the fair, while the Unseen Book Market will bring 40 international photography publishers to Ahoy.

What is Art Rotterdam?

Art Rotterdam is an annual contemporary art fair that brings together artists, galleries, collectors, curators and visitors interested in the latest developments in visual art.

Unlike a museum exhibition, much of the work presented by participating galleries is available to purchase. Visitors can explore painting, sculpture, photography, video art and installations, speak with gallery representatives and learn more about the artists and ideas behind the work.

After many years at the Van Nelle Factory, Art Rotterdam moved to Rotterdam Ahoy in 2025. The larger venue made room for different exhibition formats, including large-scale sculpture and video installations.

The fair's 2026 edition also marked the integration of Unseen Photo, previously held as a separate photography fair. According to the organisers, that combined edition attracted approximately 30,000 visitors.

For an impression of the event from the exhibition floor, read our review of Art Rotterdam 2026, which highlights galleries, artists and memorable works from the previous edition.

Art Rotterdam 2027: what to expect

The 2027 fair will once again be organised around several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of contemporary art.

Main Section and Solo/Duo

The Main Section is the central gallery programme, featuring presentations by participating contemporary art galleries from the Netherlands and abroad.

The Solo/Duo programme allows galleries to concentrate on one or two artists, giving visitors an opportunity to explore individual artistic practices in greater depth.

New Art Section

The New Art Section focuses on emerging artists and new developments in contemporary art. Galleries present solo exhibitions by artists whose work may be unfamiliar to a wider audience.

This section will again be curated by Övül Ö. Durmuşoğlu, who has also taken on the broader role of Head Curator of Art Rotterdam.

Projections and Sculpture Park

Art Rotterdam's Projections programme is dedicated to video art and moving images. The section uses a darkened exhibition space with large screens, allowing visitors to experience works that develop over time rather than presenting a single static image.

The Sculpture Park provides space for larger three-dimensional works and installations, including pieces that would be difficult to accommodate within a conventional gallery booth.

Both sections are included in the organisers' plans for 2027. The full list of participating artists and artworks will be announced closer to the event.

Prospects and emerging artists

Art Rotterdam has also hosted Prospects, an exhibition presented by the Mondriaan Fund that introduces artists who have received support through its Artist Start grant.

In 2026, Prospects featured work by 92 emerging artists, curated by Johan Gustavsson and Daphne Verberg. Details of a possible 2027 edition, including participating artists and curators, have not yet been confirmed.

Unseen Photo at Art Rotterdam

Unseen Photo returns as an integrated part of Art Rotterdam in 2027, continuing the collaboration introduced during the previous edition.

Known for its attention to contemporary photography, emerging talent and experimental approaches to the medium, Unseen brings another dimension to the wider art fair.

For 2027, the photography galleries will be grouped more closely together, creating a clearer identity for the Unseen section within Ahoy. The organisers say the aim is to broaden the range of work and improve the presentation, rather than simply make the fair larger.

Alongside gallery presentations, Unseen will again feature three curated sections:

• New Photography: A programme dedicated to developments in contemporary photography and emerging photographic practices.
• Encounters: Presentations exploring the connections between photography and other artistic approaches.
• Past Present: Work examining photography's history, analogue processes, archives and the relationship between past and present images.

These sections reflect the variety of contemporary photographic art, from traditional prints to projects incorporating found images, archives, installations and experimental techniques.

More information about the photography programme is available at Unseen Photo.

Unseen Book Market moves to Rotterdam Ahoy

One of the main additions to the 2027 edition is the return of the Unseen Book Market to the centre of the photography programme.

During Art Rotterdam 2026, the Book Market was organised separately as a pop-up at the Nederlands Fotomuseum in Pakhuis Santos. In March 2027, it will move onto the exhibition floor at Rotterdam Ahoy, becoming part of the Unseen Photo area.

The organisers have reserved space for 40 international publishers specialising in photography books.

Visitors will be able to browse photobooks, artist publications and independently produced editions while exploring the photography galleries. The Book Market also offers opportunities to encounter publishers and artists whose work may not be widely available through ordinary bookshops.

Photography books are an art form in their own right. By selecting and arranging images across a sequence of pages, photographers can tell stories, revisit historical material or present projects that work differently from photographs displayed individually on a wall.

Bringing the Book Market into Ahoy means visitors can move directly between the exhibited photographic work and publications exploring the medium from different perspectives.

Two new head curators for Art Rotterdam and Unseen Photo

The artistic direction of the 2027 fair will be shaped by two international curators appointed on 1 July 2026.

Övül Ö. Durmuşoğlu: Head Curator of Art Rotterdam

Berlin-based curator, writer and educator Övül Ö. Durmuşoğlu has been appointed Head Curator of Art Rotterdam.

She was already familiar with the fair, having curated its New Art Section during the previous two editions at Ahoy. Her new role extends that responsibility to the wider artistic programme.

Durmuşoğlu has worked with international exhibitions and institutions, including dOCUMENTA (13), the Istanbul Biennial and the Autostrada Biennale. In 2026, she also became Artistic Director of the Göteborg International Biennial for Contemporary Art in Sweden.

Her appointment brings continuity to the New Art Section while giving her a broader role in shaping the selection and presentation of contemporary art throughout the fair.

Domenico de Chirico: Head Curator of Unseen Photo

Milan-based curator Domenico de Chirico will oversee the artistic programme of Unseen Photo.

He previously curated the Unseen Encounters section in 2026 and has worked on exhibitions and projects with galleries, museums, artists and other cultural institutions internationally.

Among the first changes under his direction are the more clearly grouped photography presentations and the return of the Book Market to the main exhibition floor.

According to the organisers, the two curators will work together on the development of Art Rotterdam and Unseen Photo, while maintaining the different identities of contemporary art and photography within the combined fair.

How to buy art at Art Rotterdam

You don't need to be an experienced collector to visit Art Rotterdam. Exploring the galleries and discovering new artists is part of the experience, whether or not you're planning to purchase anything.

If a particular work catches your attention, you can speak with the gallery representative about the artist, materials, edition, availability and price.

Some galleries present established artists whose work commands substantial prices. Others introduce emerging artists or smaller works that may be more accessible to first-time buyers.

Visitors who prefer to research the art beforehand can use GalleryViewer.com, Art Rotterdam's online platform for browsing galleries, artist profiles and available artworks.

The organisers have announced that the 2027 catalogue is scheduled to become available through GalleryViewer on 9 March 2027.

The complete list of participating galleries is expected in early January, with further details about artists and the curated programmes to follow.

Art Rotterdam and Rotterdam Art Week 2027

Art Rotterdam takes place during Rotterdam Art Week, which runs from 17 to 21 March 2027.

The city-wide programme brings exhibitions, open studios, talks, tours and other art events to more than 50 locations across Rotterdam.

This makes it possible to combine a visit to the main fair at Ahoy with smaller exhibitions and cultural activities in other parts of the city.

Practical information: Art Rotterdam 2027

Event: Art Rotterdam / Unseen Photo 2027
Dates: Friday 19 to Sunday 21 March 2027
Venue: Rotterdam Ahoy, Ahoyweg 10, 3084 BA Rotterdam
Opening hours: 11:00 to 19:00 on all three public days
Preview: Thursday 18 March, by invitation only
Tickets: Online through Art Rotterdam, with sales scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027

Regular, off-peak and student tickets are advertised. Children aged 12 and under can enter free of charge, according to the organiser's current visitor information. A Museumkaart does not provide an admission discount.

Ticket prices differ between the latest press announcement and the organiser's visitor website, so check the final prices before booking.

For current admission information, visit the official visitor information page.

How to get to Rotterdam Ahoy

Rotterdam Ahoy is located in Rotterdam-Zuid, close to the Zuidplein shopping centre and public transport interchange.

The nearest metro station is Zuidplein, served by metro lines D and E. From the station, it is approximately a five-minute walk to Ahoy.

Visitors arriving by car can use Ahoy's parking facilities. The organiser currently lists 2,500 parking spaces and offers advance parking reservations, although availability can depend on other events taking place at the venue.

An alternative is P+R Slinge, one metro stop from Zuidplein. Free P+R parking is subject to conditions relating to public transport, so check the rules before travelling. For more information, see our guide to parking in Rotterdam.

Ahoy is wheelchair accessible. The fair provides a staffed cloakroom, and backpacks are not permitted on the exhibition floor.

Check the organiser's practical information for accessibility, parking and visitor arrangements.