Potentials OÖ '26 - Art Fair

Art Fair – Contemporary Art from Upper Austria
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saturday until 7:00 PM)
With POTENTIALS, Upper Austria has an art fair that is more than just a marketplace: it serves as a stage, a meeting space, and a clear statement of the artistic power of the region. Following a successful premiere in 2024 as an associated project of the European Capital of Culture Salzkammergut, it will continue in 2026 as a biennial event – aiming to present outstanding artistic positions from Upper Austria at a high curatorial level.

The focus is on contemporary works by artists who are rooted in Upper Austrian art associations. What often develops in secrecy – in studios, club rooms, and collective processes – is made visible here and accessible to a broad public. POTENTIALS OÖ sees itself as a platform for quality, diversity, and artistic attitude.

The selection process is carried out through an open submission procedure with a jury decision. Under the artistic direction of Mag.a Ingeborg Rauss and a knowledgeable jury – Dr. Lucas Cuturi, Mag.a Marlene Elvira Steinz, and Mag.a Eva-Maria Manner – a concentrated cross-section of current artistic creation in Upper Austria is formed.

The overall management of the fair will again be in the hands of artist and organizer Mag. Matthias Kretschmer in 2026, supported by Michael Wittig, who is responsible for sponsorship, PR, and the program during the fair days.

POTENTIALS OÖ is not only an exhibition but also an expression of an intense exchange between art associations, artists, curators, and organizers. Studio visits and portraits in advance make artistic processes visible and allow art to be experienced as a vibrant, communal act – long before it steps into the spotlight at POTENTIALS OÖ.