From blank walls to budding collections, Melbourne’s art lovers will have plenty of reasons to wander through a world of colour and conversation at the Affordable Art Fair Melbourne.
The event is returning to the Royal Exhibition Building this August with thousands of original artworks and interactive installations in sight. Running from Thursday, 27th to Sunday, 30th August, the global art fair returns for its sixth Melbourne edition, bringing together more than 70 Australian and international galleries under one roof.
Moreover, visitors can browse and buy original works priced between $100 and $10,000, with every piece available to take home on the day. Organisers expect more than 18,000 people to visit across the four-day event, which aims to make collecting contemporary art more accessible for everyone.
“The Affordable Art Fair breaks down barriers to collecting art and gives everyone, from first-time buyers to seasoned collectors, the chance to find something they truly love,” said Australian Fair Director Georgia Huestis.
“Designed to make art inclusive to everyone, the Fair invites visitors to connect directly with gallerists, watch artists at work and explore a wide range of styles, stories and mediums. Every artwork is by a living artist, prices are clearly displayed, and visitors can purchase and take home their favourite pieces on the spot.”
Tons of live art and emerging talent
In addition to thousands of artworks, visitors can explore a program of engaging experiences and live demonstrations.
French artist Diego Dough will create a whimsical pop-up “art shop” filled with his playful fried egg sculptures, colourful flowers and quirky installations, while contemporary painter and sculptor Chris Riley expands his signature optimistic universe with Blue Sky World, an immersive installation making its debut beyond the canvas.
Greeting visitors at the entrance is Face Value, a new hand-painted mural by Daylesford artist Struan Hopwood, while Melbourne favourite Jackie Case returns with the much-loved Art ATM, alongside a lineup of Artists in Action demonstrations featuring painters, printmakers, illustrators, textile artists and collage artists working live throughout the fair.
Families are also well catered for, with the Kaleidoscope Children’s Art Studio, curated by Queensland artist Claudio Kirac, offering a colourful creative space inspired by toys, kawaii culture and collectibles.
Melbourne galleries join interstate favourites
Returning participants include the Victorian Artists Society, Brunswick Street Gallery, SOL Gallery, Storehouse, Manyung Gallery Group, Cascade Art Gallery, Salt Contemporary Art, Artist Lane, Oddball Gallery, Aspire Gallery, Stevens Street Gallery and The Toowoomba Gallery.
The fair also continues its support for emerging artists through its Discover: Young Talent exhibition, spotlighting eight artists aged under 35, while Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation returns as Access Partner, representing First Nations artists from the remote Central Australian communities of Yuendumu and Nyirripi.
Key details
- What: Affordable Art Fair Melbourne
- When: Thursday, 27th August to Sunday, 30th August, 2026
- Where: Royal Exhibition Building, Nicholson Street, Carlton
- Opening hours:
- Thursday: 12pm–5pm (First Look), 5pm–9pm (Opening Night)
- Friday: 10am–9pm
- Saturday: 10am–5pm
- Sunday: 10am–5pm
- Ticket Prices:
- First Look: $49 (+ booking fee) – includes unlimited access across all four days
- Opening Night: $45 (+ booking fee) – includes unlimited access across all four days
- General admission: $28 (+ booking fee)
- Children under 16 enter free with a paying adult
