Fair Cancels New Art Commission Amid Sold-Out Tickets

One of Australia’s major contemporary art events, the Melbourne Art Fair, has discontinued its long-standing commission program for new artworks, redirecting funds towards grants for existing pieces. Notably, the 2026 fair features works by Judith Wright, Brenda L. Croft, and Fiona Hall, alongside a design commission awarded to Anna Varendorff. Despite fewer galleries participating, the event opened to record attendance and successful sales, particularly at the high and low ends of the market. Fair director Melissa Loughnan indicated that while this year’s focus has shifted, future large-scale commissions remain a possibility.

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