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ALT ART 2026: A Major Expansion for Contemporary Philippine Art
The ALT Collective is set to present its most ambitious edition yet when ALT ART returns to Manila this February. Moving to the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay, the fourth iteration of this contemporary art showcase represents a significant leap in scale and ambition for the Philippine art scene.
Expanded Space, Expanded Vision
ALT ART runs from February 12 to 15, 2026, with public days scheduled from February 13 to 15, open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This year’s edition doubles the floor area of the 2024 showcase, with its walls reaching up to 5 meters high. The expanded venue allows the nine participating galleries (Artinformal, Blanc, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Finale Art File, MO_Space, Underground, Vinyl on Vinyl, and West Gallery) to present more ambitious installations and curatorial projects.
Tina Fernandez from Artiinformal states, “Each of the 9 galleries that form part of the collective represents different artists who are experts in their field and have different points of view. ALT ART presents these different voices in a cohesive manner. Being in a venue that is more accessible to a broader audience fulfills our goal to enable more people from different walks of life to experience these shows.”
New Programs and Featured Artists
Two curatorial initiatives define this edition: the Special Projects and the Discoveries Section. The staple Special Projects, presented individually by each gallery, will continue to push conceptual possibilities and expand the showcase’s curatorial scope. It will feature established artists, such as Christina Quisumbing Ramilo, Buen Calubayan, Julie Lluch/Kiri Dalena/Ben Brixx, Raffy Napay, MM Yu, Kolown/Christina Lopez, Mauro “Malang” Santos, Lesley-Ann Cao, and Iwan Effendi.
Meanwhile, the Discoveries Section will make its exciting debut. It aims to offer fresh perspectives on art, marking another milestone for ALT ART. Showcasing exciting and critically engaged practices, the program spotlights artists whose work merits greater visibility and recognition, including JC Mariategue, Jomari T’leon, Joar Songcuya, Allyza Tresvalles, Eric Bico, Gelo Cinco, Joanolasco, Rhaz Oriente, and Marco Ortiga.
“The Discoveries Program is a platform for artists who we think deserve to garner more attention. Some of these artists are not new, but we feel we have a long journey ahead. The program is also a reminder that with the fast-paced turnover of attention, it is a good way for us to step back and slow things down a bit,” explains Jay Amante of Blanc.
Mawen Ong of MO_Space adds, “New highlights lead to new interests, which lead to new conversations. We aim to bridge the gap between what is established and what is to be discovered.”
Visit ALT ART
ALT ART 2026 promises yet another edition full of discoveries, continuing its mission to promote Philippine art and amplify artistic voices for local and international audiences, collectors, and art enthusiasts.
The art showcase is presented by BDO Private Bank, and with special support from Nagaraya. Tickets for public days from February 13 to 15, 2026, are available onsite, priced at PHP 500 for the general public and PHP 250 for students.
For more information, visit www.altphilippines.com and follow @altphilippines on Instagram and Facebook.
Photographs from the ART Collective.
Read More: ‘Sanctuary of Becoming’: Ciane Xavier and Sustainable Breathing Spaces in Design
Frequently Asked Questions
The move to the SMX Convention Center allows ALT ART to double its previous floor area, featuring walls that reach up to 5 meters in height. This vertical and horizontal expansion is technically critical for galleries, as it enables the exhibition of large-format paintings and massive installations that were previously constrained by smaller venue dimensions. The new location also enhances accessibility, aiming to bring contemporary art to a broader, more diverse audience.
The collective remains a tight-knit group of nine influential Philippine galleries: Artinformal, Blanc, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Finale Art File, MO_Space, Underground, Vinyl on Vinyl, and West Gallery. While each gallery maintains its unique aesthetic and roster of “expert” artists, the collective format allows them to present these diverse voices in a cohesive, curated environment that bridges the gap between commercial art and experimental practice.
Making its debut in 2026, the Discoveries Section is a curated platform designed to spotlight artists who merit greater visibility despite having critically engaged practices. According to Jay Amante of Blanc, the program serves as an intentional “slow down” in a fast-paced art market, focusing on long-term artistic journeys rather than immediate commercial turnover. It features artists such as JC Mariategue, Jomari T’leon, and Joar Songcuya, providing them with a high-profile stage alongside established names.
The Special Projects are a staple of ALT ART where each gallery presents a specific, conceptually-driven exhibition by an established artist. These projects are intended to push the boundaries of what a contemporary art showcase can be. Featured artists for 2026 include heavyweights like Christina Quisumbing Ramilo, Buen Calubayan, Julie Lluch, and MM Yu, as well as a retrospective look at the work of Mauro “Malang” Santos.
ALT ART 2026 opens to the public from February 13 to 15, 2026, with operating hours from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Tickets are available onsite at the SMX Convention Center. The general admission price is PHP 500, while a discounted rate of PHP 250 is available for students. The event is supported by BDO Private Bank and Nagaraya, reinforcing its position as a major event for local and international collectors alike.
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