BRUSSELS.- The 32nd edition of Art Brussels – within a continuing spirit of creative and artistic renewal- features several new initiatives. For the 10th consecutive year, the fair counts again on the support of ING as main sponsor. After consistently building up its reputation over the years and following on the success of Art Brussels 2013, the fair now confidently occupies a position among the top five international art fairs, while maintaining its unique features and welcoming convivial atmosphere.

As their proliferation seems to testify, art fairs continue to provide important economic, networking, and exhibition opportunities for artists; whilst for collectors and the public they remain unique platforms where one has the opportunity to see many artists and artworks under one roof, something that would not be possible in other circumstances.

ART BRUSSELS DIRECTORSHIP: TWO WOMEN AT THE HELM
A new addition to the Art Brussels team is Anne Vierstraete, who assumed the role of Business Director in August last year. Anne comes to Art Brussels with an impressive track record and wide range of professional experience in her eighteen years as Head of Marketing &Communication at Bank Degroof and eight years as the director of the Erasmus Fund for medical research.

Internationally recognised curator Katerina Gregos (who recently curated both the Göteborg International Biennial in Sweden and the annual exhibition of the Steirischer Herbst Festival in Graz, Austria, and who was recently appointed curator of the Belgian Pavilion for the next Venice Biennale) continues in her role as Artistic Director, which includes developing the artistic profile and strategy of the fair as well as the production of artistic content, participating in the gallery selection processes, and programming all the artistic projects and discursive events. Art Brussels 2014will thus be piloted by a close-knit and complementary duo.

BRUSSELS:EUROPE’S RISING ART CITY
It is no longer a secret that Brussels is, in the last years, experiencing a creative renaissance in all fields of culture, and especially the visual arts. The city continues to attract international attention and more newcomers in terms of artists, galleries and curators. This, in addition to the committed cultural institutions that already exist, is solidifying Brussels’ reputation as one of Europe’s most interesting and promising contemporary art cities, which is quietly stealing the limelight from other established cultural metropolises. Brussels offers easy access (under 2 hours by train) from other neighboring major European cities, the promise of multiple cultural discoveries, an increasing number of new artistic initiatives in the city, and an excellent culinary culture. The strong collector’s base in Belgium (Belgian as well as international) further reinforces the position of Art Brussels as one of the major, not-to-be-missed cultural events in Western Europe and one of the flagship artistic events in Europe’s capital.