Cape Town art week 2026

A curated week for a small group of the art curious, dedicated to exploring South Africa’s vibrant contemporary art landscape.

This programme includes visits to key cultural institutions, leading artists’ studios, private collections and the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, pulling together the best that Cape Town has to offer in this action-packed international art week. Participants can join for the full week or dip into selected days, as schedules and
energy levels allow!

The programme is led by Theresa Simon, an arts professional with 25 years of international experience across museums, galleries, cultural organisations and major art fairs, with deep ties to South Africa.

Highlights

• Private studio visits with prominent artists
• Invitations to the homes and collections of leading art patrons
• VIP access to the Investec Cape Town Art Fair
• Curated access to selected Investec VIP events
• Guided city and art tour with Kate Crane Briggs
• Daily logistics and transport arranged, as required

Programme outline

Tuesday | 17 February
A day exploring Cape Town’s art ecology with Kate Crane Briggs
East City

09.00 Spier Arts Trust, Union House, 25 Commercial Street
Introductions to the programme, participants and aims of this Art Week tour
Brief talk on the Trust’s work of the trust by CEO Mirna Wessels
Fine art mosaic and Qaqambile beading studios
Marlise Keith exhibition preview
10.10 A4 Arts Foundation, 23 Buitenkant Street, District Six, Cape Town. Short talk about the Foundation and current exhibitions.
11.00 Claude Bouscharain and Erik Laubscher Foundation, 35 Rose Street, Bo-Kaap
Hosted by Phillippa Duncan and Ina Volochin. Phillippa is a trustee and independent
advisor to the Foundation. Ina is an art collector, philanthropist and founded Marvol
Gallery at Hazendal Wine Estate. They have collaborated for an emerging artists’
residency at the Foundation
12.15 Chandler House gallery, shop and studio
12.30 Dorp Hotel lunch and viewing of the hotel’s private collection not in public spaces (includes Roger Ballen photography) Woodstock (via District Six)
14.30 Brett Seiler studio visit
15.15 Chris Soal studio visit
16.30 Barbara Wildenboar studio visit and others in Side Street Studios
17.15/30 End of Kate’s tour
18.00 Norval Foundation  ICTAF VIP private view of Portia Zvavahera. Exhibition (closes 20.30)

Wednesday | 18 February
A day of curator tours, national art institutions and small galleries, plus collector’s home with
contemporary and tribal art.
09.15 Iziko South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Gardens
09.30 Curator Andrea Lewis’ tour of Motherhood exhibition (work by 71 contemporary and modern South African artists) Bev Butkow to talk briefly in front of her work in the exhibition
10.30 Company’s Gardens walk including contemporary memorials and controversial statues
10.45 Old Townhouse Greenmarket Square Iziko Museums of South Africa Curator Esther Esmyol, focusing on contemporary and Asian ceramics (her research focus)
11.30 Brundyn Arts & Culture, Mandela Rhodes Place hosted by Elana Brundyn, tour of the collection and a talk about their consultancy Aspire Auction House visit (tbc)
12.30 Michael Fitzgerald’s tour of his home and collection (address supplied at BA&C)
13.30 Between Us  176 Bree Street, lunch
14.50 WHATIFTHEWORLD 
15.30 AVA Gallery – Association of Visual Arts) 35 Church Street
16.00 99 Loop Street  – London-based curator Virginia Damsta’s tour of her exhibition Shape of No
16.30 End of Kate’s tour
16.30 ArtHarare opening at 129 Bree Street: ICTAF VIP programme (runs to 8pm)

Thursday | 19 February
9:30 am Thebe will meet the group at Thebe Magugu House and Suite, to give a brief introduction to the space, including the showroom and suite, and a tour of the Norval Foundation collection at the hotel, curated by Rerservoir.
13.30 VIP access to ICTAF
14.30 ICTAF walkthrough with Kate Crane Briggs
15.30 End of Kate’s tour with the option to stay with her for an additional hour

Friday | 20 February |  R400pp
12:30pm The Art Fair can be overwhelming; it is far more rewarding when experienced with others. Having attended the collectors’ preview the day before, Kate Crane Briggs will guide you through the highlights and clarify the distinctions between the various sections. She will introduce you to selected gallerists, curators and artists from across the continent and beyond, each offering brief insights into the work on display. Get the inside track on the first day of the Fair, one of Africa’s best.

Please note: the cost excludes entry tickets, which Kate will arrange on your behalf.

Monday | 23 February
10:00 – 12:00 Visit to the home of collectors’ Frank and Lizelle Kilbourn, City Bowl (address will be
provided to those signed up). A small group from the Brooklyn Museum will be visiting
at the same time

About the trip leader
Theresa Simon founded her agency, Theresa Simon & Partners, in 2001, working across the arts, architecture, and design sectors. Her clients include the Wallace Collection, Waddesdon Manor, Marian Goodman Gallery, Cristea Roberts Gallery, Royal Commission for AlUla, Saudi Arts Council, Arts Council England, and Art on the Underground. Her agency has also supported major fair launches including Zoo Art Fair, ART HK, and the London Festival of Architecture. Born in London to South African heritage, she now lives in Somerset.