Shanghai Art Week 2025: When contemporary art integrates into the urban fabric

Shanghai Art Week 2025: When contemporary art integrates into the urban fabric

Nicolas Sarazin | Nov 3, 2025 4 minutes read 1 comment
 

From November 13 to 17, 2025, Shanghai transforms into the world capital of contemporary art. Featuring galleries, public spaces, and monumental installations, Shanghai Art Week invites you on an immersive exploration where every corner of the city becomes a living work of art. Discover the major fairs, emerging talents, and side events that are stirring up the international art scene.


Key points

  • Dates: November 13-17, 2025

  • Main events: ART021, West Bund Art & Design, Shanghai Young Art Fair

  • Urban tours and parallel events: Performances, screenings, participatory workshops

  • Location: Various sites in Shanghai (Shanghai Exhibition Center, West Bund Art Center, Shanghai Style Art Museum, etc.)

From November 13 to 17, 2025, Shanghai becomes the global hub of contemporary art. Shanghai Art Week transforms the city into a vast open-air gallery, where every alleyway, every institution, and every public space becomes a living canvas.

ART021: An International Showcase in the Heart of Shanghai

The 13th edition of ART021 will take place at the Shanghai Exhibition Center from November 13 to 16, 2025. This event will bring together more than 130 galleries from around the world, providing a platform to discover works by established and emerging artists. ART021 continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading contemporary art fair in Asia.

ART021 is distinguished by its five thematic sections: MAIN, APPROACH, BEYOND, DETOUR, and SPECIAL PROJECTS, allowing visitors to discover a diversity of artistic approaches and curatorial practices. The event thus offers an immersive and enriching experience for contemporary art lovers.


West Bund Art & Design: Art by the Water

From November 13 to 16, 2025, the West Bund Art Center, in the heart of Shanghai's Xuhui District, will host one of Asia's most influential art fairs. More than 120 galleries from Asia, Europe, and the Americas will showcase works ranging from established artists to emerging talents, offering a comprehensive overview of international contemporary art.

Visitors will be able to discover renowned galleries such as Perrotin, Thaddaeus Ropac, White Cube or Hauser & Wirth, which exhibit works by contemporary masters like Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, Pierre Soulages or Xu Zhen.

The fair spans several areas of the center, including the main halls and the spectacular West Bund Dome, designed by architect Thomas Heatherwick. Monumental installations, immersive projections, and live performances create a unique sensory experience, where art interacts with the urban space.

A special program will also highlight monumental creations by international artists, both inside and outside the center, reflecting the fair's commitment to promoting cultural dialogue and giving visibility to emerging voices on the global stage.

Associated Events

The Shanghai Young Art Fair, which will be held from November 5 to 16, celebrates its 11th edition under the theme “Urban Wanderings,” proposing a more open and experimental approach to contemporary art. The fair adopts a novel “one main site, several annexes” structure, connecting the Shanghai Style Art Museum to cultural, commercial, and community spaces throughout the city. This configuration allows young artists to present their works in a fluid way, encouraging encounters with the public and interaction with the urban space. The program is divided into two complementary sections—“Youth Art Starting Point” and “Curator Program”—offering both a look at emerging practices and curatorial reflection, while making art more accessible and vibrant for the general public.

A Growing Arts Scene

Beyond the fairs and exhibitions, Shanghai Art Week features a multitude of parallel events: outdoor performances, film screenings, interactive installations, and participatory workshops. These initiatives aim to democratize access to art and encourage active citizen participation. The city thus becomes a vast experimental ground where art is introduced into all aspects of urban life.

Shanghai Art Week 2025 thus establishes itself as an unmissable event, offering a platform for exchanges and discoveries in a dynamic urban setting.

Explore Chinese Art

FAQ

What is Shanghai Art Week?
It's a week dedicated to contemporary art that transforms Shanghai into an open-air gallery, bringing together international fairs, exhibitions, performances and artistic installations.

What are the must-see events?

  • ART021 (November 13-16): Contemporary art fair with 130+ international galleries

  • West Bund Art & Design (November 13-16): monumental installations and prestigious galleries

  • Shanghai Young Art Fair (November 5-16): young talents and urban paths

Where do the main fairs take place?

  • ART021: Shanghai Exhibition Center

  • West Bund Art & Design: West Bund Art Center (Xuhui)

  • Shanghai Young Art Fair: Shanghai Style Art Museum and several branches in the city

Why visit Shanghai Art Week?
To discover the diversity of international contemporary art, meet emerging artists and experience immersive installations in the heart of the city.

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