The international independent visual arts scene at the Tobacco Factory of the Hellenic Parliament. 66 artistic platforms, more than 1,100 artists from 22 countries, and a multifaceted contemporary art program from September 17 to 20, 2026.

For the past fourteen years, the Platforms Project has served as an international hub for collaboration and the exchange of ideas among artists, curators, theorists, and independent art spaces. It is not merely an exhibition, but an institution that documents contemporary collective artistic practices and creates an active, ever-expanding international network of collaborations.

Artemis Potamianou and Michalis Argyrou are directing the Platforms Project, while Artemis Potamianou is serving as the event’s artistic director.

The Platforms Project 2026, with an extensive parallel program of events, creates a channel of communication between artists and the public through performances, talks, educational activities, guided tours, and presentations. Alongside the main exhibition, the Platforms Project 2026 presents an extensive parallel program featuring 57 performances, thematic talks and conferences, book presentations, workshops, organized guided tours, and educational activities, offering visitors a comprehensive contemporary art experience.

The Platforms Project 2026 will feature fourteen thematic talks and workshops. Workshops and discussions on issues related to society, art, and contemporary culture hold a special place in the program, featuring artists, theorists, and researchers from Greece and abroad, such as “From Silence to Action: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Gender-Based Violence, Institutional Framework and Social Awareness,” organized by The Red Boat Projects platform; the international panel “International Center for Walking Art in Prespa (WALC),” organized by the Visual Arts Journey to Prespa; and “Photography in Art: A Means of Navigating the Contemporary World,” organized by Vivian Kalomiri and Nansy Andritsopoulou.

The program also includes book presentations, such as those by Fotis Kangelaris, talks by Alexandros Voutsas, Dr. Maria Kamilaki, and Elissavet Dionysopoulou, as well as talks by international artists on collectives, such as Basti Kuhz and Kate Enters. Notable highlights include the talks “The Imprint of Behavior,” moderated by Maria Stamatis, and project presentations from platforms such as “Presentation of the ‘Next Stop’ Action” by Horizon of Events, “Eco-Poetry: Ecological Fertile Poetry” by the Eco Flaneur platform, and “The Bright Side” by Kalliroi 16. Finally, Galerie Theorema asbl will host a discussion on “Art and Philosophy.”

Open Studios: The new generation of artists takes center stage at the event

For the ninth consecutive year, Open Studios is being presented and has now become an integral part of the event. This year’s Open Studios will feature not only the studios of the Athens School of Fine Arts, but also those of the School of Fine Arts at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as the Department of Visual Arts and Moving Images and the Department of Graphic Design, within the School of Graphic Design and Visual Communication at the University of West Attica. The students present works and specially designed projects, bringing the new generation of creators to the forefront and fostering dialogue between art education and contemporary practice.

Educational Activitied for Kids: Kids’ Lab 2026 και “Platforms Project’s Smile”
Kids’ Lab 2026, the Platforms Project’s educational program for children ages 4–14, designed by Katerina Filindra, invites young visitors to discover contemporary art through creative workshops, play, and experimentation. At the same time, Maria Zygomala (Dental Surgeon – Visual Artist) is leading the painting workshop “Platforms Project’s Smile,” where children use a smile as a starting point for imaginary worlds and visual narratives. Through colors, shapes, and stories, the children transform teeth into houses, villages, boats, and dreamlike worlds, freely expressing their imagination and creativity.

Guided Tours: Getting to Know the Artists and Independent Artistic Practices
The Platforms Project is the only international art fair that incorporates organized guided tours as a key part of its program, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the artists, talk with them, and gain a deeper understanding of the works and collective artistic practices. The guided tours will take place on September 18, 19, and 20, at 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.

Parallel Exhibition «M#3, Moments, Meetings, Memories»: A Look Back at the History of the Platforms Project
Alongside the exhibition at the Tobacco Factory, the Lofos art project space is hosting the exhibition “M#3, Moments, Meetings, Memories,” curated by Liesbeth Bos and Konstantin Economou, featuring 41 artists who have participated in the Platforms Project in previous years. The exhibition serves as a retrospective look at the Platforms Project’s journey in Athens, bringing together works, experiences, and personal narratives that highlight how artists forge relationships, collaborate, and build an international network for the exchange of ideas. Through diverse voices and perspectives, it explores what remains in the memory after such an intense experience of encounter, creation, and collaboration.