Art Fair Philippines 2026 Transforms Circuit Makati Into Vertical Art Ecosystem
Art Fair Philippines returns to Manila this February with an ambitious takeover of Circuit Corporate Center One, transforming a former office building into a six-floor celebration of Philippine and international contemporary art from February 6 to 8.
The 2026 edition marks another bold venue choice for the fair, which has consistently challenged traditional art spaces by occupying unexpected locations across Metro Manila. This year's vertical format spans floors five through eleven, with visitors entering through a fifth-floor reception area and navigating between exhibitions via eight high-speed elevators.
Building a Cultural District
"Over the years, Art Fair Philippines has occupied unexpected spaces, from The Link to Ayala Triangle Gardens, and now Circuit Makati, each location gently challenging the notion that art only belongs in formal institutions," explains Ayala Land creative director Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala.
The choice of Circuit Makati aligns with the area's transformation into a creative and cultural district, setting the stage for the planned Contemporary Art Center opening in 2027. This world-class museum for visual, digital, and interactive art will complement existing venues like the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
Strong Local and International Presence
The 2026 lineup reinforces Manila's growing relevance in the global art market. Local galleries range from established names like Silverlens and León Gallery to contemporary spaces such as Pintô Art Museum and Arboretum. Regional representation includes Bacolod's Orange Project, while experimental platforms like Modeka and Archivo 1984 showcase emerging voices.
International participation brings together galleries from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and Spain, creating meaningful dialogue between Philippine art and global conversations.
Projects Section Creates Town Plaza Experience
The most carefully curated section remains the Projects area on the sixth floor, designed by Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco as a Filipino barrio or town plaza complete with walkways, alcoves, benches, and even an eskinita.
"These are artists we feel deserve to be highlighted," says Art Fair PH co-founder Lisa Periquet. "It will be a fun place to experience, with benches so you can sit down and view the work, just like in a town plaza."
Featured artists include foundational figure Imelda Cajipe Endaya, whose printmaking practice engages with social realities, and Ambie Abaño's introspective woodcut self-portraits. Max Balatbat presents a chapel inspired by his grandmother's structure in Caloocan, while Brenda Fajardo reinterprets Western tarot through Filipino mythology and politics.
Art Beyond the Building
The fair extends beyond its walls through the ninth annual "10 Days of Art" initiative running January 30 to February 8. This citywide program activates Makati through exhibitions, installations, and public artworks in malls, underpasses, and open spaces.
Highlights include Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan's interactive fountain work at Ayala Tower One and Ronald Ventura's rideable carousel of fantastical creatures at Circuit Mall. Digital artist Isaiah Cacnio will install LED works across Circuit, Glorietta, and Greenbelt.
"This is a way for us to make sure that art is beyond the frontlines of the fair," notes co-founder Trickie Lopa.
Digital Innovation and Education
ArtFairPH/Digital continues exploring the intersection of art and technology. Painter TRNZ presents "The Keeper," an animated short film featuring his childlike figures in motion, while the TLYR Collective offers immersive generative art and augmented reality experiences.
Educational programming remains central through ArtFairPH/Talks, presented with the Ateneo Art Gallery and Museum Foundation of the Philippines. Free guided tours at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. welcome both first-time and returning visitors.
The fair also introduces Anne-Laure Lemaitre, an independent curator from New York, to oversee a new residency grant program fostering international dialogue with Philippine artists.
With over 150 student volunteers and growing community engagement, Art Fair Philippines 2026 promises to deliver what co-founder Zobel describes as "human connection in the middle of everyday life, often in moments when we least expect it."