ARCO Madrid 2012

The application period is now open for ARCOmadrid_2012 to be held from 15th to 19th February 2012. Following the positive response to the changes introduced in 2011— reduction in the size of the fair, a greater emphasis on quality of exhibiting galleries and works on display and a firm commitment with collecting—quality continues to be the top priority for the upcoming edition. For the selection of galleries, the stands at the recent edition of the fair will be carefully analysed, together with the gallery’s programme and the project presented for its participation at ARCOmadrid 2012.

ARCOmadrid’s role within the overall art fair scene, and to reinforce its role as a source of information for the large number of collectors and art world professionals who visit the fair every year, ARCOmadrid 2012 is debuting a new initiative aimed at throwing a special spotlight on one artist in each stand. The idea is to provide an extra incentive for galleries to propose a special presentation of one of the artists on its roster, without implying any kind of exclusive project or solo show. ARCOmadrid will then give special coverage to these artists in its press releases, in its catalogue and infoarco leaflets. At the same time, all information on these presentations will be sent in advance to all guest critics and curators before the fair opens.

The presence of the Netherlands as ARCOmadrid 2012’s special guest country. With the active collaboration of the Mondriaan Foundation and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Spain, ARCOmadrid 2012 will present a selection of Dutch galleries curated by Xander Karskens (Breda, 1973), while also attracting all the country’s major collectors, curators and critics.

ARCOmadrid will also be continuing its curated programmes designed to provide an overview of new galleries and artistic proposals. In this regard, the fair is repeating the Opening section aimed at young European galleries open for l