Also Known As Africa Art & Design Fair 2026 – Paris, France

What to expect in 2026

Also Known As Africa, commonly known as AKAA, is an international art and design fair dedicated to contemporary African and Afro-descendant artists, galleries, designers and creative practices. The fair brings together collectors, art professionals, institutions and members of the public at the Carreau du Temple in Paris. Its stated mission is to increase the visibility, circulation and recognition of African and Afro-descendant artists within the international contemporary-art scene.

The upcoming edition introduces AKAA PHOTO, a new dedicated section created around photography and visual memory. According to the official fair, this section explores how photographers document and reinterpret subjects including historical upheavals, independence movements, changing cities, reinvented traditions, youth and cultural heritage.

The fair combines commercial gallery presentations with a wider cultural programme. Visitors can encounter painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, installations, mixed-media works, design, craft-related practices and other forms of contemporary artistic expression.

AKAA’s exhibition model also creates opportunities for visitors to meet galleries and artists directly. Alongside the stands, the programme includes talks, artist conversations, cinema, book signings and other encounters designed to encourage discussion between the public and participants in the art market.

The fair’s 2026 structure therefore offers several different ways to experience contemporary African and diasporic creativity: through gallery booths, photography, curated projects, artist conversations, professional meetings and the broader cultural programme.

Event dates

Paris – October 23-25, 2026

The official AKAA information lists the fair at Carreau du Temple in Paris during this period. The official practical-information page also lists a collector preview and opening reserved for invitation holders, followed by the public opening period.

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Venue & exhibition site

AKAA takes place beneath the glass roofs of Carreau du Temple, a historic covered market and cultural venue in central Paris.

Venue: Carreau du Temple

Address: 4 rue Eugène Spuller, 75003 Paris

The venue provides a large central exhibition environment suitable for contemporary art presentations, gallery stands, cultural programming and public encounters. Its location in the 3rd arrondissement places the fair close to the Marais and other major cultural districts of Paris.

The auditorium at Carreau du Temple is also used for AKAA’s cultural programme. The official programme identifies the auditorium at 2 Rue Perrée as a location for talks and film-related activities.

The venue’s central position also makes it possible to combine an AKAA visit with nearby galleries, museums, restaurants, design spaces and other Paris Art Week activities.

Full exhibition programme

The 2026 exhibition programme is built around gallery presentations, new thematic areas and a cultural programme that extends beyond the main stands.

One of the principal additions is AKAA PHOTO. The new section gives photography a dedicated presence within the fair and examines the medium as a way of constructing and preserving visual memory.

The wider exhibition programme includes:

• Contemporary African art
• Afro-descendant artistic practices
• Photography
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Installation
• Mixed media
• Textiles and material-based practices
• Contemporary design
• Craft-related creative practices
• Emerging artists
• Established artists
• Gallery presentations
• Curated projects
• Artist encounters
• Talks and round tables
• Film screenings
• Book signings

The official galleries page currently lists participating exhibitors from countries including France, Belgium, Cameroon, Germany, Mozambique, Thailand, Switzerland, Côte d’Ivoire, Italy, Zimbabwe, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal and Uganda.

This international gallery network is central to AKAA’s role as a meeting point between African, Afro-descendant and international contemporary-art scenes.

Featured artists & designers

AKAA’s artist index includes artists working across painting, sculpture, photography, installation, textiles and other contemporary practices. The official artist directory includes names such as A Nauld Adjahuime, Joël Andrianomearisoa, Ardmore Studio, Youss Atacora, Ako Atikossie, Alice-Anne Augustin, Amani Bodo, Sébastien Boko, Charlotte Brathwaite, Ernest Breleur, Seyni Awa Camara, Soly Cissé, Gopal Dagnogo, Eltayeb Dawelbait, Gabriel Dia and Aliou Diack.

Photography has a particularly strong presence in the new AKAA PHOTO section. The official fair highlights Angèle Etoundi Essamba’s Girl with an Amber Earring 1, presented through Galerie Carole Kvasnevski, as an example of the photography being showcased.

Other artists represented through the current gallery listings include Souleimane Barry, whose work is presented by PARIS-B, as well as artists represented by galleries specialising in particular regional or diasporic scenes.

The artist selection demonstrates the breadth of practices represented at AKAA rather than restricting the fair to one medium or artistic style.

Galleries & exhibitors

The official AKAA galleries directory lists a wide international group of participating exhibitors. Current listings include:

• ADA Arts Design Africa Impact Studio
• Alejandra Topete Gallery
• Annie Kadji Art Gallery
• Artbase
• Arte de Gema
• Atelier 9 Bangkok
• Backslash
• By Lara Sedbon
• Casa Vicência
• Ceysson & Bénétière
• Constellations Gallery
• Filafriques
• Fisheye Gallery
• Fondation Donwahi
• Galerie Afrique
• Galerie Carole Kvasnevski
• Galerie Chauvy
• Galerie Frédéric Roulette
• Galerie Olivier Waltman
• Galerie Vallois
• Galleria Anna Marra
• Gowen Gallery
• In Camera Galerie
• Intérieurs Particuliers
• La Maison Gaston
• Les Filles du Calvaire
• Loft3 Gallery
• Loo & Lou Gallery
• Magnin-A
• OOA Gallery
• OpenArtExchange
• PARIS-B
• Primo Marella Gallery
• Quand les Fleurs Nous Sauvent
• The Norm
• This Is Not a White Cube
• Umoja Art Gallery

The official directory identifies the country associated with each participating gallery and, in many cases, provides the number of artists represented.

The international range is also visible through individual gallery presentations. For example, AFIKARIS focuses on artists from Africa and its diaspora, while Angalia specialises in visual artists living and working in Kinshasa.

Exhibition halls & sections

AKAA’s exhibition layout combines the main gallery fair with dedicated projects and programme areas.

Main gallery exhibition

The principal exhibition area brings galleries and their artists together in a concentrated contemporary-art environment. Visitors can move between different gallery presentations and compare approaches, mediums and artistic practices.

AKAA PHOTO

AKAA PHOTO is the new photography-focused section. It considers photography as a medium for constructing visual memory and examining cultural, social and historical transformations.

Rencontres AKAA

Rencontres AKAA provides the discussion and exchange component of the fair. Its programme includes round tables, artist encounters, cinema and book signings.

Artist booth encounters

The En tête à tête format creates direct conversations between artists, galleries and visitors. These short encounters are designed to give audiences an opportunity to hear artists or gallery representatives discuss their practices directly within the fair environment.

Talks, workshops & special events

AKAA’s cultural programme extends beyond traditional gallery presentations.

The Rencontres AKAA programme includes round tables addressing questions around contemporary African and Afro-descendant art, materials, memory, creative practices and the art market. The programme is presented as a space for dialogue between the public and the different participants in the art ecosystem.

Artist encounters form another important part of the programme. The En tête à tête format places an artist and their gallery directly in conversation with visitors, allowing the public to learn about individual works and artistic approaches.

The fair also includes cinema programming. The official programme has featured a screening of Bahia la Sainte, a film connected with the preservation and critical understanding of visual archives.

Book-related activities are also included, such as signings connected with art publications and artist monographs. One example is Multiple Realities by Duncan Wylie, presented with Backslash Gallery.

The cultural programme therefore provides several ways to engage with the fair without limiting the experience to viewing and purchasing artworks.

Ticket types

The official AKAA practical-information page lists the following admission prices:

• Full-rate admission: approximately $18.88
• Half-rate admission: approximately $12.98
• Exhibition catalogue: approximately $22.42

These amounts are converted from the official published prices at an approximate exchange rate of €1 = $1.18.

The half-rate ticket is intended for eligible visitors under the conditions established by the organiser. Visitors should check the official ticketing information for the current eligibility requirements before purchasing.

The exhibition catalogue is available separately and provides a useful reference for visitors interested in the participating artists, galleries and works.

VIP & collector access

AKAA provides a collector preview and opening reserved for invited guests. This gives collectors, professionals and other invitation holders access to the fair before its regular public opening.

Collector-oriented access is an important part of the fair because AKAA functions as an art-market platform as well as a public exhibition. Visitors interested in collecting can meet galleries directly, discuss individual works and learn more about artists represented by participating exhibitors.

The fair does not operate as a conventional seated event, so VIP access is centred on collector and professional access rather than premium seating.

The gallery-based structure also allows collectors to establish direct relationships with galleries and discuss availability, editions, provenance, materials and other information concerning individual works.

Event rules

Visitors should follow the admission and security rules established by AKAA and Carreau du Temple.

The fair is an art-market environment, so visitors are expected to respect gallery stands, artworks, installations and other visitors. Artworks should not be touched unless a gallery representative gives permission.

Visitors should also follow staff instructions concerning access to exhibition areas, auditorium activities and special programmes.

Ticket conditions and admission requirements are determined by the organiser. Visitors attending talks or other special events should check whether advance reservation is required.

The fair’s official website provides the current ticketing and practical information, and visitors should check those instructions before travelling.

How to get there

AKAA is centrally located at Carreau du Temple, making public transport a practical option for visitors arriving from different parts of Paris.

The official access information identifies Temple Metro station on Line 3 as one of the closest options. République station is also nearby and provides access to Lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11.

Visitors staying around the Marais, République or central Paris can also reach the venue on foot depending on their accommodation.

Cycling is another option, with the official fair information identifying a Vélib station at Perrée.

Public transport & parking

The official AKAA practical-information page lists several transport options.

Metro

Temple: Line 3

République: Lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11

Cycling

A Vélib station is available at Perrée, providing a convenient shared-bicycle option for visitors travelling through central Paris.

Parking

Visitors travelling by car should check current Paris parking restrictions and local availability before arriving. Because Carreau du Temple is situated in a dense central district, public transport can provide a straightforward alternative to driving.

The surrounding area also has extensive pedestrian connections, allowing visitors to combine the fair with other cultural destinations in the Marais and central Paris.

Accommodation areas

Visitors attending AKAA can choose accommodation in or around the central Paris districts surrounding Carreau du Temple.

The 3rd arrondissement is particularly convenient because the fair venue is located there. Staying around the Marais also provides access to restaurants, cafés, galleries, museums and independent shops.

Other practical areas include:

• République
• Arts-et-Métiers
• Oberkampf
• Bastille
• Châtelet
• Hôtel de Ville
• Central Paris near major railway and Metro connections

For collectors and professionals planning several art-related visits, accommodation close to the Marais or central gallery districts can reduce travel between appointments.

Visitors travelling on a tighter budget can also look farther from the historic centre while remaining close to a Metro station with a direct connection to Temple or République.

Food & refreshments

Carreau du Temple is surrounded by cafés, bakeries, restaurants and casual dining venues in the 3rd arrondissement and nearby Marais district.

The area provides options for quick meals between gallery visits as well as longer lunches and dinners suitable for professional meetings.

Visitors attending talks and artist encounters can plan meals around their programme because the venue is centrally located and surrounded by a dense network of food and hospitality businesses.

The fair’s primary focus is exhibition and cultural programming, so visitors should check the latest venue information for any refreshments available directly inside Carreau du Temple.

The surrounding neighbourhood also makes it easy to combine an AKAA visit with a broader day of cultural sightseeing and dining in central Paris.

Accessibility

AKAA takes place at Carreau du Temple, a permanent cultural venue in central Paris. Visitors who require specific accessibility arrangements should contact the organiser before travelling to confirm current entrance, circulation and seating information.

The official ticket information includes a reduced admission category, and visitors should check the current eligibility conditions when purchasing.

For individual accessibility requirements, the organiser can be contacted directly using the official contact information:

Telephone: +33 1 45 38 51 15

Email: contact@akaafair.com

Visitors attending the auditorium programme should also check the individual event information if they require particular assistance.

Must-see exhibitions

The new AKAA PHOTO section is one of the principal areas to follow because it gives photography a dedicated platform within the fair. The official description focuses on photography’s ability to create visual memory and document social, cultural and historical change.

The presentation involving Angèle Etoundi Essamba through Galerie Carole Kvasnevski provides one example of the photographic work highlighted by the fair.

The gallery presentations also provide opportunities to discover artists working across different mediums and geographical contexts.

Visitors interested in photography and contemporary African visual culture can explore galleries such as AFIKARIS and Fisheye Gallery, while visitors interested in specific regional scenes can examine galleries whose programmes focus on particular artistic communities.

The Ellipse Art Projects presentation is another notable project. It brings together artists connected with the Ellipse Prize and presents a photography-focused display involving finalists representing several West African artistic scenes.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition demonstrated AKAA’s broad approach to African and Afro-descendant contemporary art, bringing together galleries, artists, collectors and cultural professionals within the Carreau du Temple setting.

The fair’s gallery network included exhibitors from several countries, with presentations spanning painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, installation, textiles and other practices. The official archive and gallery pages show the breadth of artistic approaches that have been represented at AKAA.

The Rencontres programme also provided a significant public component, combining round tables, artist conversations, film screenings and book-related events. The En tête à tête format gave visitors direct opportunities to hear artists and galleries discuss their work.

The fair has also provided a platform for galleries specialising in particular African and diasporic scenes. AFIKARIS, for example, focuses on artists from Africa and its diaspora, while Angalia specialises in artists living and working in Kinshasa.

Another notable aspect has been AKAA’s ability to connect contemporary art with material culture and design. Projects such as Maison Gacha explore relationships between contemporary creation, traditional craftsmanship, heritage, workshops and knowledge transmission.

These elements illustrate how AKAA extends beyond a conventional gallery fair by combining commercial presentations with cultural exchange, artistic dialogue and projects connected to African material and cultural heritage.

Official tickets

Official tickets and practical information are available through the AKAA website.

AKAA official website and ticket information (https://akaafair.com/)

The currently published admission rates are approximately $18.88 for full admission and $12.98 for half-rate admission. The official catalogue is approximately $22.42. These figures are converted from the organiser’s published prices and should be checked on the official ticketing page before purchase.

The official contact details are:

Telephone: +33 1 45 38 51 15

Email: contact@akaafair.com

Venue: Carreau du Temple, 4 rue Eugène Spuller, 75003 Paris

Visitors should use the official AKAA ticketing system and the organiser’s own programme pages for admission, cultural events, gallery information and practical updates.