There are art fairs you attend and then there is the FNB Art Joburg – Africa’s longest-running contemporary art fair, the annual pilgrimage that sets the tone for how the continent sees itself and how the world sees the continent.
This September, it returns bigger, more intimate and more meaningful than ever.
Founded in 2008, FNB Art Joburg is Africa’s longest-running contemporary art fair. Held annually in Johannesburg and sponsored by First National Bank (FNB), it was created to support living African artists and build a sustainable commercial market for art on the continent. In 2019, it entered its second act. Former Fair Director Mandla Sibeko officially acquired the fair from Art Logic, renaming it FNB Art Joburg and making it 100% black-owned – the first art fair in South Africa to do so. Sibeko’s vision was radical – fewer exhibitors, higher curatorial standards and hybrid model.
FNB Art Joburg has officially announced its 19th edition will take place from Friday, 4 September to Sunday, 6 September 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, 161 Maude Street, Sandton. “Johannesburg has always been a place where ambition meets possibility,” says fair director Mandla Sibeko. “We are excited to welcome audiences back this September when our 19th edition will realise Johannesburg’s enduring role as a meeting place for cultural breakthroughs.”
More than an art exhibition, FNB Art Joburg has evolved into one of the continent’s most influential cultural and commercial platforms. For 2026, the fair will once again bring together art galleries, artists, collectors and cultural organisations from across Africa for a programme packed with exhibitions, installations, talks and performances.
The fair is divided into eight sections: gallery HUB, gallery LAB, MAX, GIF, INK, AUX, ORG and introducing ARC – which centres on solo presentations that prioritise clarity, risk and experimentation, offering a considered lens on practices shaping the present moment.
Beyond the convention, visitors can once again explore the city with Open City running from 20 August to 14 September. The programme encourages visitors to experience Johannesburg through galleries, museums, design spaces and restaurants hosting exhibitions, performances, fashion and live music.
Tickets are now available on Tixsa.
Details to know:
Dates: 4-6 September 2026
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton
Tickets: R200 day pass, R400 weekend pass via Tixsa
