Bring together a host of art galleries and what do you get? A lot of discussion, for starters. And a rather considerable amount of art. Now throw in interesting tours and similar, and you have viennacontemporary.
- Contemporary art fair with a strong international reach
- 60+ galleries presented last time
- 2024 dates: Sept 12-15
- See also:
Galleries from all over
(Part of the 2022 fair; press photo courtesy of and © viennacontemporary / kunstdokumentation.com)
It’s easy to stare up at all those old buildings and see Vienna as a time capsule and its art museums as preservers of the past. But that’s just not true.
Art in Vienna sticks its fingers into numerous creative pies. This includes contemporary art, of course, not least through the influence of the MuseumsQuartier collection of museums, venues, and events.
You might consider the viennacontemporary art fair as a collective manifestation of this local contemporary art scene. Alongside various other activities, the event brings together numerous galleries in a showcase of works.
And not just art galleries from Vienna.
Nor just from Austria.
(Francesca Gavin curated ZONE1 in 2023, a special exhibition area that featured young artists in Austria. Press photo courtesy of and © Francesca Gavin)
The viennacontemporary event draws participants from across Europe and even beyond. In 2023, for example, the event featured over 60 from some 19 countries (with around two-thirds of exhibitors from outside Austria).
A programme of activities accompanies the fair, including themed and general tours. Find full details at the official website, once available. The location for 2024 is the Messe Wien, a prime venue for major shows, fairs and other events in the city.
2024 dates and tickets
In 2024, viennacontemporary runs from September 12th to September 15th, though Day 1 may require a special preview ticket or invite. The various ticket options normally become available from the website, for example.
How to get to viennacontemporary
The Messe Wien location is off to one side of the city, but reached in just a few minutes from the centre via a direct subway connection. If you prefer to stay nearby, I have some hotel tips for you here.
With viennacontemporary expected to occupy Hall D, the U2 subway delivers you practically to the front door (get out at Krieau station). Catch the U2 from Schottentor and Schottenring in the centre, for example, and the line is well connected to other subway routes.
If you want to catch your breath from all the great art, the Messe Wien sits very close to the River Danube, but also to the Prater recreation area. And for architectural inspiration, the surrounds have some sights to delight instagrammers. Look, particularly, for the new campus of the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien.
Address: Trabrennstraße 7, 1020 Vienna