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Art Fairs and Festivals to see in 2020 Article Image

Art Fairs and Festivals to see in 2020

Posted on 23 January 2020

Art fairs and festivals have become one of the premier means for artists and galleries to come together and showcase the best they have to offer to the art world notables who count - dealers, collectors, curators, agents, critics and the like.

For art lovers, they offer the opportunity to view a cross section of the contemporary art market under one roof. We at Art.co.za have created a handy guide to the South African art fairs and festivals in 2020.

SOUTH AFRICAN ANTIQUE, ART & DESIGN ASSOCIATION (SAADA) EXPO

South Africa's PREMIER selection of accredited Antique, Art & Design dealers. The very best Antiques, Art & 20th Century Design on offer at an intimate boutique-style affair.

CAPE TOWN

Time of year: 14 - 16 February 2020

Location: The Avenue Conference Centre, 40 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront

Website: www.saada.co.za

INVESTEC CAPE TOWN ART FAIR

Investec Cape Town Art Fair showcases a diversity of work that represents the forefront of contemporary art from Africa to the world, and the world to Cape Town.

Time of year: 14 - 16 February 2020

Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)

Website: www.capetownartfair.co.za

Toyota US Woordfees

The Toyota US Woordfees is a celebration of theatre, music, art, dance, discussion and poetry. The focus is on Afrikaans, as well as African and Dutch inspired influences.

Time of year: 6 - 15 March 2020

Location: Stellenbosch

Website: www.woordfees.co.za

KLEIN KAROO NASIONALE KUNSTEFEES(KKNK)

Photo by Hans van der Veen

The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees offers plenty of opportunities to experience the cream of South African arts in various genres, disciplines and forms.

The festival gives rise to the creation of new material such as plays written especially for the KKNK and annually the top artists and productions at the Festival are honored with Kanna awards.

Time of year: 23 - 29 March 2020 (CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19)

Location: Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo

Website: www.kknk.co.za

AFRIKABURN

Artwork by Anthea Delmotte

AfrikaBurn is the spectacular result of the creative expression of a community of volunteers who, once a year, gather in the Tankwa Karoo to create a temporary city of art, theme camps, costume, music and performance.

Time of year: 27 April - 3 May 2020

Location: Tankwa, The Karoo

Website: www.afrikaburn.com

WINTER SCULPTURE FAIR

Over the second weekend of May, the Winter Sculpture Fair sees the launch of the 2020 sculpture exhibition open to the public at the acclaimed NIROX Foundation Sculpture Park. Guests will be invited to wander the spectacular gardens, engaging with larger-than-life sculptures as they enjoy a carefully curated selection of food and wine.

Time of year: 9 - 10 May 2020

Location: Nirox Sculpture Foundation, Cradle of Humankind

Website: www.wintersculpturefair.co.za

HERMANUS FYNARTS FESTIVAL

Hermanus FynArts was launched in 2013 as an initiative of Hermanus Tourism. It features various events at various venues in Hermanus - from local art galleries and church halls in the town centre to wine farms up the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

A highlight of the festival includes the Sculpture on the Cliffs exhibition featuring various sculptures by South African artists exhibited along the coastal pathway.

Time of year: 5 - 16 June 2020 (CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19)

Location: Hermanus

Website: www.hermanusfynarts.co.za

INNIBOS ARTS FESTIVAL

Artwork by Ruhan Janse van Vuuren

Innibos welcomes an influx of people from far and wide to Nelspruit every year. In addition to the fabulous performances and exquisite exhibitions, Innibos is also about the arts, crafts, theatre, literature, drama and so much more.

Time of year: 24 - 27 June 2020

Location: Nelspruit

Website: www.innibos.co.za

THE NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

The National Arts Festival is an important event on the South African cultural calendar, and the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent.

Starting at the end of June/beginning of July, it runs for 11 days and is held in the small university city of Makhanda (Grahamstown), which is situated in the Eastern Cape, 130km from Port Elizabeth.

Time of year: 25 June - 5 July 2020 (GOING ONLINE DUE TO COVID-19)

Location: Grahamstown

Website: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za

VRYFEES

The Free State Arts Festival is an Afrikaans language festival that combines creative forces between English and Sotho cultures. We contribute to the exchange of ideas about arts, culture and society through relationships with other national and international creative communities.

Time of year: 29 June - 5 July 2020.

Location: Bloemfontein, Free State.

Website: www.vrystaatkunstefees.co.za

THE RMB TURBINE ART FAIR

Powered by the forum company, RMB TAF offers a bigger, bolder and exhilarating art fair with exciting new additions to the interactive public programme. The 8th edition of TAF will continue to embrace, nurture, grow and encourage artists from all career levels, galleries and collectors.

RMB TAF 2020 will present visionary new projects to the fair, including Woven, an exhibition of specially curated textile-based artwork from a range of established, mid-career and emerging contemporary artists.

Time of year: 28 August - 2 September 2020

Location: 10 Fricker Road, Illovo, Johannesburg

Website: www.turbineartfair.co.za

FNB JOBURG ART FAIR

Wezile Mgibe, "Art (i)" performance at FNB Art Joburg. Photo: Karabo Mooki

The FNBJoburgArtFair gives you the opportunity to come see and buy the largest selection of African contemporary art under one roof.

Time of year: 4 - 6 September 2020

Location: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Website: www.fnbjoburgartfair.co.za

LATITUDES ART FAIR

Artwork by Mbali Dhlamini

LATITUDES launched in September 2019 as a new fair for contemporary art from Africa. Drawing a diverse audience to Sandton's Nelson Mandela Square to view galleries from more than 10 different countries, the message was clear. There is demand for a re-envisioned zone of creative exchange within our arts community. One which is inclusive, innovative and uniquely African.

Time of year: 4 - 6 September 2020

Location: Rooftop, Sandon City and Nelson Mandela Square, Johannesburg

Website: www.latitudesartfair.com

AARDKLOP NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

The Aardklop National Arts Festival provides a platform for both up-and-coming and established artists to showcase their talents from visual arts, fairytale plays, stand-up comedy to boeremusiek.

Time of year: 22 - 27 September 2020

Location: Potchefstroom

Website: www.aardklop.co.za

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