Contemporary Now 2026 turns Chennai into city-wide gallery from August 8 to 25

Chennai: Chennai will transform into a large, city-wide gallery this month as Contemporary Now returns for its third edition from August 8 to 25, 2026.

The art festival will bring together 66 artists from seven leading galleries, with exhibitions, talks, workshops and artist walkthroughs hosted across museums and cultural spaces in the city.

Curated to go beyond traditional gallery walls, the programme invites visitors to experience art in cafes, studios and public venues. The aim is to make audiences “wander, question, linger, and discover not just art, but the city itself,” organizers said.

Highlights include exhibitions featuring works by artists like Thukral and Tagra, along with panel discussions, studio visits and interactive workshops designed to engage both art enthusiasts and first-time visitors.

Now in its third year, Contemporary Now continues to position Chennai as a hub for contemporary art by taking it out of institutions and into everyday spaces.