Art Brussels 2019
Brussels, BelgiumENCATC celebrates its 50th Cultural Happy Hour at Art Brussels
On 26 April, 27 of our most loyal Cultural Happy Hour guests came out to celebrate the 50th edition! It was the occasion to share favorite memories and past times of the ENCATC Cultural Happy Hours, celebrate reaching this achievement, and thank the many people and partners who have made it a successful initiative in the arts and culture community.
Organised at the 37th Art Brussels, a long standing Cultural Happy Hour partner, the event gave a unique opportunity to discover the richness of the contemporary artistic and cultural scene.
Welcomed and given a tour by Nele Verhaeren, Head of Galleries, Art Brussels, it is evident the fair is attracting a growing number of collectors, gallerists, curators, art professionals, and art lovers from around the world thanks to its reputation as one of the most renowned contemporary art fairs in Europe.
In 2019 it launched a new and diverse “Invited” section to support emerging galleries or art spaces that are transcending the typical gallery format and that have never before participated in the fair. Retaining its youthful profile as a discovery fair, Art Brussels brought more than 150 galleries among the most important of the international scene, who gathered for three more sections: “Discovery” with a focus on young, emerging and lesser-known artists with recent works (2016-2019); “Prime” for established artists from modern to contemporary; and “Rediscovery” dedicated to art from the 20th century presenting living or deceased artists that are under-recognised, under-estimated or forgotten.
Launched in 2013 at the initiative of ENCATC in partnership with the Creative Europe Desks Wallonie-Bruxelles and Vlaanderen, the ENCATC Cultural Happy Hours have brought together 1,438 guests from 34 countries, taken place in 6 European cities, and established 70 creative partnerships. It has proven to be well loved experience for cultural discoveries and making new connections and friends with professionals from the cultural, business, and educational sectors.