The Investec Cape Town Art Fair (ICTAF) returns for its 13th edition from 20-22 February 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), reaffirming its role as a vital platform for introspection, connection, and transformation through art.
This year’s theme, centered on “active listening and responsive creation,” invites audiences to engage with contemporary art not just as spectators but as participants in a global two-way conversation. With a focus on how art can serve as a channel for empathy and understanding, the fair promises to be a deeply resonant experience for artists and visitors alike.
As Africa’s largest and most influential international art fair, ICTAF has consistently drawn a vibrant mix of renowned exhibitors and leading galleries from across the globe. Over the past 13 years, it has become a cornerstone of the continent’s cultural landscape, celebrating the best of contemporary art. The 2025 edition marked a high point, featuring over 125 exhibitors and 500 artists from 58 countries across five continents. With three new galleries and over 30,00 art enthusiasts in attendance, last year’s fair set a thrilling precedent for what 2026’s edition was going to offer.
Looking ahead to next year, ICTAF is poised to deliver a monumental event in the global art calendar. The fair will showcase ten distinct sections, including four curated by internationally respected voices in the art world. Highlights included Tomorrows/Today, curated by Dr Mariella Franzoni (Barcelona), which explores mythn and memory in the liminal spaces between the visible and invisible. SOLO, curated by Céline Seror (Amsterdam), which frames listening as a relational practice; Generations, curated by Tandazani Dhlakama (Toronto), emphasises intergenerational artistic dialogue. Finally, Cabinet, curated by Beata America (Cape Town) will reimagine photography as a medium for listening to visual narratives.
“More than just a theme, Listen is a mode of engagement and a way of being with art, with one another, and with the moment. It asks artists to reflect on what it means to be heard. It challenges curators to assemble sections that cultivate attention and presence. It encourages visitors to participate sensitively in meaning-making.” – Investec Cape Town Art Fair Team
Together, these curated sections promise to display the fair’s commitment to art as a transformative and connective force.
