ART X Lagos Returns for 11th Edition, Celebrating African Creativity and Cultural Heritage

Lagos is preparing to welcome another edition of ART X Lagos, one of West Africa’s leading international contemporary art fairs, as it returns from November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Federal Palace, Victoria Island.

Founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, ART X Lagos has grown into an important platform for showcasing contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, connecting artists, galleries, collectors and international audiences.

The 11th edition will be held under the theme “A New Chapter, A New Decade,” exploring how cultural heritage, history and traditional knowledge can inspire new forms of artistic expression.

This year’s programme will feature 15 exhibitors across its Main and Spotlight sections, bringing together established and emerging artistic voices from Nigeria and other parts of the world.

One of the major highlights will be the ART X ICON exhibition, titled Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel, dedicated to the legacy of celebrated Nigerian potter Ladi Dosei Kwali.

The exhibition, curated by Dr Jareh Das, will bring together ceramics and archival materials from the National Museum in Lagos and private collections. It will also feature works by women potters who worked alongside or followed Kwali, highlighting the influence of traditional pottery and its continued relevance in contemporary art.

Beyond the exhibitions, visitors can expect a range of activities, including ART X Cinema, ART X Live!, ART X Talks, Art Across Borders and the Schools’ Programme.

The fair will also provide opportunities for emerging creatives through its Masterclass programme, which will select 10 artists from different creative disciplines for learning and engagement with established practitioners.

Beyond Art: What This Means for Lagos

The return of ART X Lagos highlights the growing importance of the creative industry to the city’s cultural identity and tourism appeal.

Events of this nature provide opportunities for local artists and galleries to reach wider audiences while creating spaces for cultural exchange, professional networking and creative collaboration.

For Lagos, a city known for its vibrant entertainment, fashion and cultural scene, platforms such as ART X Lagos help broaden its creative identity beyond music and film.

As the fair enters its second decade, its continued presence raises an important question about the future of African art: how can the continent preserve its cultural heritage while creating room for new ideas, artistic innovation and global recognition?

ART X Lagos 2026 will run from November 5 to 8 at the Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos.