Art X Lagos: Africa's Leading International Contemporary Art Fair
The premier contemporary art event, bringing together leading African and international galleries in Victoria Island.
The leading international contemporary art fair for Africa and its diaspora.
- Event Date: Annually, in November
- Venue Location: Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos
- Ticket Information: Day passes and VIP access sold via the official Art X Lagos website
History and Founder
Art X Lagos was founded in 2016 by Nigerian cultural entrepreneur Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, with the ambition of creating the first contemporary art fair of international scale in West Africa. The event is held every year in November at the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island, an iconic venue chosen for its ability to host an international audience of collectors, gallerists, and curators. Over a decade, the fair has welcomed more than 700,000 visitors and artists from over 70 countries, establishing itself as the leading event for contemporary African art and its diaspora.
What Sets Art X Lagos Apart
Unlike major Western fairs, Art X Lagos places particular emphasis on connecting local collectors, often from Lagos's banking, oil, and fintech sectors, with international museum institutions seeking emerging African artists. The fair typically features several complementary components: a main hall of invited galleries, a program of talks and panels bringing together artists and critics, and special exhibitions dedicated to specific artists or themes. The tenth edition, held in November 2025, marked a symbolic milestone for the event, confirming its central place in Lagos's cultural calendar alongside events like Lagos Fashion Week and Felabration.
A Milestone Anniversary Edition Built Around a Unifying Theme
For its tenth anniversary, held from 6 to 9 November 2025 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Art X Lagos chose the theme "Imagining Otherwise, No Matter the Tide," inviting artists to explore how creativity can shape future cities amid questions of mobility, inequality, and multicultural coexistence. About a dozen established African galleries took part, including kó, Tiwani Contemporary, Gallery 1957, and Nike Art Gallery, alongside newer entrants such as ADEGBOLA, AMG Projects, and Nomadic Art Gallery, featured in a new "Spotlight" section dedicated to emerging talent.
Programs Supporting the Next Generation of Artists
Beyond its gallery exhibitions, Art X Lagos has built structured programs to support emerging artists and industry professionals, notably the ART X Prize and the Development Forum, alongside the Access ART X Prize, which recognizes both established names and rising talent from Africa and its diaspora. These initiatives reinforce the fair's role as a professional springboard beyond its commercial function, forging lasting connections between young artists, critics, and international museum institutions.