Organizer Information
Drawing Now Paris is Europe’s first contemporary art fair entirely dedicated to drawing, founded in 2007 by Christine Phal. The fair is organized by DS Office and has established itself over nearly two decades as a key international platform for contemporary drawing practices. Hosted annually at the Carreau du Temple in Paris, it brings together leading galleries, artists, curators, collectors, and cultural institutions.
Over the years, Drawing Now Paris has played a central role in expanding the perception of drawing beyond its traditional boundaries, positioning it as a dynamic, experimental, and interdisciplinary medium. The fair regularly features more than 70 international galleries and includes curated programs, thematic circuits, talks, performances, and professional encounters. Its mission is to promote contemporary drawing as a critical and evolving artistic language engaged with aesthetic, social, and technological transformations.
The 20th anniversary edition (2027) marks a significant milestone, emphasizing the evolution of drawing as both a historical practice and a contemporary field of experimentation. The fair is also accompanied by a selection committee composed of internationally recognized professionals in contemporary art, ensuring curatorial rigor and artistic relevance.
Title & Description
Drawing Now Paris 2027 – 20th Anniversary Edition | Open Call for Galleries
Drawing Now Paris invites galleries to apply for participation in its 20th anniversary edition, taking place from 16–21 March 2027 at the Carreau du Temple in Paris.
This open call is aimed at contemporary art galleries specializing in or presenting strong engagement with drawing practices. Selected participants will exhibit within one of several curated sectors, including General, Inception (emerging galleries), Process (experimental and interdisciplinary practices), and Digital (technology-based drawing practices).
The 2027 edition will present more than 70 international galleries and will include solo presentations, curated projects, thematic circuits, and special programs such as MATRIX (Women in Drawing), Art Faber (work and economy-themed works), and C-E-A curatorial collaborations.
The fair emphasizes drawing as a flexible and expanded field, encouraging proposals that explore traditional, experimental, conceptual, and technologically mediated approaches. Participating galleries will present curated booth projects and may also be considered for the Drawing Now Prize, awarded to outstanding artists presented at the fair.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Drawing (Contemporary & Expanded Practices)
- Painting (drawing-related practices)
- Digital Art / New Media
- Installation
- Video Art (limited inclusion)
- Photography (drawing-related conceptual practices)
- Interdisciplinary / Experimental Practices
- Curatorial Projects
Eligibility
- International galleries (primary focus of the fair)
- Contemporary art galleries representing professional artists
- Emerging and established galleries are eligible, depending on the sector
- Galleries with at least one artist representing a minimum of 30% of booth presentation (for award eligibility)
- Open to galleries working with contemporary drawing practices or expanded visual arts
- Applications may be submitted for one or two sectors
- Selection based on curatorial quality, coherence, and alignment with fair orientation
- Strong emphasis on the quality of artist presentation and exhibition design
Program Benefits & Awards
- Exhibition booth at Drawing Now Paris 2027 (Carreau du Temple, Paris)
- Inclusion in a major international contemporary art fair
- Exposure to collectors, curators, museums, and institutions
- Participation in VIP and professional networking programs
- Access to curated thematic circuits (MATRIX, Art Faber, C-E-A)
- Inclusion in fair communications (catalogue, online platform, promotional kit)
- Eligibility for Drawing Now Prize 2027 (total award €20,000 including production grant, artist prize, and material support)
- Visibility in curated sector programming (General / Process / Digital / Inception)
- Opportunity to host VIP collectors and participate in the institutional visits program
Additional visibility opportunities include talks, performances, and curated exhibitions integrated into the fair’s programming.
Application Fee
- €150 (TTC) application fee required at submission stage (non-refundable)
- €500 service fee for communication and dossier follow-up (applies upon participation structure)
- Payment required via bank transfer or cheque
- Applications without payment will not be reviewed
Application Requirements
- Gallery profile and institutional information
- Artist CV(s) and biographies
- Presentation text for each selected artist
- Booth project description (max 500 characters for curatorial concept)
- Motivation statement for Drawing Now Prize (for eligible artist representing ≥30% of booth)
- Minimum 10 high-resolution images with captions
- Booth specifications (surface area requested, including optional corner booth request)
- Average artwork price range
- Optional: booth layout or 3D sketch
- Sector selection (one or two sectors maximum)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 25 September 2026
- Selection Committee deliberation: October 2026
- Results announced + deposit payment: November 2026
- Booth layout confirmation: January 2027
- Balance payment + additional services: February 2027
- Booth installation: 16 March 2027
- Opening / Vernissage: 17 March 2027
- Public fair: 18–21 March 2027
Location
Paris, France
Additional Details
- No multiple artworks allowed (except video works)
- The submitted project cannot be modified after selection
- Booth allocation may vary ±10% depending on production constraints
- Strong emphasis on curatorial coherence and installation quality
- The dedicated VIP program includes institutional visits, collector engagement, and hospitality services
- Level -1 functions as a dynamic program hub with talks, performances, and networking events
- Galleries may be invited to participate in additional thematic circuits post-selection
- Selection is conducted by an independent international committee of art professionals