India Art Fair Contemporary to Debut in Mumbai in 2025
A New Cultural Milestone
India’s art scene is set to take a bold new step as the India Art Fair (IAF), a cornerstone event for South Asian art, announces the launch of its latest venture—India Art Fair Contemporary (IAFC). This inaugural edition, which will take place in Mumbai from November 13 to 16, 2025, at the Jio World Garden, promises to be a transformative event that redefines how contemporary art is experienced in India.
Building on the immense success of the India Art Fair in New Delhi, IAFC will offer a fresh, avant-garde focus, showcasing the vibrancy and innovation of contemporary art and design from around the globe. With a curated selection of 50 to 70 exhibitors, including top galleries, design studios, and cultural institutions, the event is poised to become a central moment in the global art calendar.
IAFC will spotlight works created after 1970, placing a special emphasis on contemporary art, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and experimental design. The fair will highlight not only the dynamic art scene of South Asia but also spotlight works from Africa and South America—regions that have long contributed unique and powerful voices to the global art discourse.
The fair’s vision, led by Jaya Asokan, who also directs the India Art Fair in New Delhi, is rooted in the belief that contemporary art is key to shaping cultural narratives in today’s rapidly changing world. Asokan emphasizes that the growing appetite for contemporary art in India makes 2025 the perfect time for this expansion. “Mumbai has always been at the forefront of innovation, both culturally and economically. IAFC will elevate the city’s artistic landscape and position it as a global hub for contemporary art,” she stated in a recent interview.
Mumbai, with its unparalleled energy and status as both a financial powerhouse and cultural hub, is the ideal city for IAFC’s debut. Known for its thriving arts ecosystem—ranging from cutting-edge galleries to creative public spaces—the city is home to a burgeoning collector base and a growing appetite for contemporary art.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. India’s art market has witnessed explosive growth, reportedly expanding by 250% over the past decade. This rising interest is fuelling local and international collectors, making Mumbai the perfect stage for the fair’s entrance. As India’s economy continues to grow, so too does its influence in the global art market and IAFC will act as a bridge, bringing together collectors, artists, and institutions from across the world.
IAFC’s debut is set to coincide with the third edition of Art Mumbai, another major art fair happening during the same week. While some may see this as a cause for concern, Asokan has expressed optimism about fostering collaboration between the two events. Rather than competing, she envisions IAFC and Art Mumbai creating a “major market moment” for the city, elevating Mumbai as a must-visit destination for collectors, curators, and art lovers during this key week in November. This spirit of collaboration, rather than division, reflects the open and inclusive approach that IAFC aims to champion, inviting both established and emerging voices to the table in a harmonious blend of global and local narratives.
The inaugural IAFC will set itself apart from its New Delhi counterpart with a sharper focus on avant-garde and “ultra-contemporary” works. From experimental installations to cutting-edge digital art, the fair will showcase the very best of what contemporary artists and designers are creating today.
This expanded scope includes cross-disciplinary projects, breaking down the silos between traditional art forms and embracing hybrid practices that combine visual arts with architecture, design, and technology. By highlighting these collaborations, IAFC aims to foster conversations that push boundaries and challenge conventional notions of art.
Applications for participation will open later this year, inviting galleries and design studios to join this exciting new chapter in India’s art scene. This opportunity to present at IAFC will be particularly significant for younger artists, offering a platform to engage with both domestic and international audiences.
As IAFC prepares to debut in 2025, anticipation is building across the art world. With its strategic timing alongside other prominent fairs and its focus on ultra-contemporary practices, the fair is poised to make a lasting impact on Mumbai’s cultural landscape. The event promises to engage with pressing issues—from climate change to identity politics—while celebrating the diverse voices shaping contemporary art today.
For collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts, India Art Fair Contemporary represents more than just another event on the calendar—it marks the beginning of a new era. This is not just a showcase of art, but a statement of India’s growing importance in the global cultural conversation.
In 2025, when India Art Fair Contemporary opens its doors at Jio World Garden, it will undoubtedly set a new standard for how contemporary art is experienced, discussed, and appreciated in India and beyond.