Contemporary Istanbul 2026: 21st Edition

Contemporary Istanbul Returns to Tersane Istanbul for Its 21st Edition

Bridging its historic shipyard heritage with contemporary living, Tersane Istanbul is proud to host the 21st edition of Contemporary Istanbul (CI21), Turkey’s most established and prestigious international contemporary art fair. Held in main partnership with Akbank and with Tersane Istanbul as the Cultural Destination Partner, the fair brings together 70 galleries from 16 different countries, 736 artists, and 1,372 select contemporary artworks against the unique waterfront backdrop of the Golden Horn.

Offering visitors not merely an exhibition, but an integrated cultural and artistic journey woven into the local architecture and coastline, this year’s edition connects the pulse of the global art ecosystem directly to Tersane Istanbul with the participation of 22 new international galleries extending from Tokyo to São Paulo, and Paris to San Francisco.

Outdoor Sculpture Park on the Shores of the Golden Horn

Extending art beyond gallery booths and into the public realm, the Contemporary Istanbul x Tersane Istanbul Sculpture Park transforms the historic shoreline into a breathtaking open-air museum. Featuring 12 monumental sculptures by masters from diverse generations and geographies, the park showcases world-renowned Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa’s monumental 7-meter-tall work Juana right along the edge of the Golden Horn.

The open-air sculpture trail also presents striking works by acclaimed artists including Arne Quinze, Bernar Venet, Johnny Depp, Arik Levy, Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahadır Baruter, and Mert Ege Köse.

Cultural Bridges: Focus Asia & CIF Dialogues

Serving as the fair’s international focal point this year, the Focus Asia program builds a lasting, two-way cultural and artistic bridge between East and West. Alongside leading galleries from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, and New Delhi, works by prominent Asian artists are exhibited across Tersane Istanbul’s historic halls.

Running concurrently, the CIF Dialogues 2026 panel series, organized by the Contemporary Istanbul Foundation, convenes international thought leaders and art professionals to explore a wide array of topics—from Asia’s evolving cultural identity to next-generation collecting, and from the intersection of architecture and technology to the future of cultural institutions.

Plan Your Visit: Dates & Hours

The schedule for CI21, set within the captivating ambiance of Tersane Istanbul, is as follows:

• September 22, 2026: At First Sight Opening Reception

• September 23, 2026: VIP Preview

• September 24–27, 2026: General Public Days

Transportation Guide to Tersane Istanbul (By Sea & Land)

To provide our guests with a seamless and enjoyable visit, complimentary transit alternatives are available throughout the fair:

• Complimentary Boat Services: Between September 23 and 27, direct, round-trip complimentary boat transfers will operate from Kadıköy, Beşiktaş, and Kabataş piers directly to the Tersane Istanbul pier. This service is available to guests holding a valid fair ticket or invitation; as capacity is limited, reserving boat boarding passes in advance via Biletix is strongly recommended.

• Shuttle Ring Services: Regular complimentary shuttle buses will run between Şişhane Metro and Halıcıoğlu Metrobüs stations and the Tersane Istanbul event grounds on fair days.

Exclusive Free Admission for Students

In line with the mission to connect contemporary art with younger generations, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students can visit the fair free of charge on September 24 and 25 between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM

Mobile App & Ticketing Information

• Contemporary Istanbul App: Available for free download on the App Store and Google Play, the official mobile app lets you instantly access the up-to-date event schedule, exhibitor gallery directory, fair map, and your digital tickets.

• Tickets: Fair tickets can be purchased via Biletix.

Before or after your visit, don’t forget to explore Tersane Istanbul’s waterfront cafés, fine dining restaurants, and scenic panoramic views of the Golden Horn.