VOLTA is an international contemporary art fair dedicated to powering artistic discovery.

Our mission is to foster meaningful connections between art collectors, gallerists, and artists. VOLTA offers a dynamic space to explore the emerging contemporary art market, making it approachable and engaging. Located in pivotal art cities, VOLTA champions a diverse and international selection of galleries, presenting a quietly disruptive alternative to the traditional art fair model.

VOLTA is a space of opportunity, where galleries on an upward trajectory in the art market establish their presence and converge with collectors eager to uncover the ‘art of now.’ By offering a distinctive, intimate alternative to larger art fairs, VOLTA creates a welcoming and innovative environment where discovery thrives, and future talent emerges. 

Celebrating 20 Years of VOLTA: 2005 – 2025 

Founded in 2005 by a group of friends and gallerists led by Amanda Coulson, VOLTA was born from a shared vision to create an alternative commercial art fair platform during Basel Art Week. It is a fair rooted in being a space for connection and community, prioritising a personal approach to the art market and welcoming collectors to enjoy the process of art collecting. 

In 2025, VOLTA celebrates its 20th anniversary by expanding into a new venue at the Congress Center in its founding city of Basel. With Lee Cavaliere now guiding VOLTA as Artistic Director, the fair pays homage to its origin city and values while continuing to innovate and inspire. 

This milestone edition will be a testament to VOLTA’s core values of connectivity, community and artistic discovery. As we look to the future, VOLTA remains committed to fostering an intimate environment where collectors feel welcomed, and the art market feels human.   

Here’s to 20 years of VOLTA, and many more to come. 

Learn more about how VOLTA began and the memorable moments of art fair life in our interview with former Founder and Director Amanda Coulson.