The Complete Guide
Salón ACME 2026
By artists, for artists. The fair where you buy directly from creators in a crumbling 1905 mansion.
The Basics
February 5-8, 2026
Proyectos Públicos, Juárez
No. 13 (13th year)
Free (no fee)
What Makes Salón ACME Different
If Material is the indie alternative to Zona Maco, Salón ACME is the indie alternative to everything. This isn't a gallery fair—it's an artist fair. No middlemen. You're buying directly from the people who made the work.
The application is completely free—extremely unusual for any art fair. Artists submit work, a curatorial board selects pieces, and if you're chosen, you show alongside 100+ other emerging creators. No booth fees, no gallery representation required.
And the venue? A crumbling 1905 mansion that was abandoned for 47 years before being rescued from demolition. The peeling wallpaper stays. The faded paint stays. The graffiti from former squatters stays. It's not polished—it's alive.
"We decided not to be a fair or a gallery because we saw a gap in how things are done in Mexico City. The general aim is to de-centre the contents of the fair and display work being done by groups of artists and curators in the states."
— Zazil Barba, Co-founder
The Origin Story
Salón ACME launched in 2013, the same year Material started. But where Material was founded by gallerists frustrated with Zona Maco, ACME was founded by artists frustrated with the entire gallery system.
The founders—Álvaro Ugarte, Sebastián Vizcaíno, and Zazil Barba (artists from Guadalajara), along with curator Homero Fernández—created the project through two collectives: Archipiélago and Base Proyectos. Their goal: investigate, incentivize, and promote artistic production in Mexico without the traditional gallery gatekeeping.
The key innovation? The Open Call. Any artist—any age, any nationality, any background—can submit work for free. A curatorial board reviews everything (they received 1,800 applications in 2025) and selects around 80 artists for the main exhibition. No gallery needed. No connections required.
In 2023, Ana Castella became director. She'd previously curated at arteBA (Buenos Aires) and ArtBO (Bogotá), and brought international connections while respecting the founders' vision. Under her direction, the fair has grown to 22,000 visitors while maintaining its artist-first ethos.
The Venue: A Rescued Mansion
Salón ACME takes place at Proyecto Público Prim—and the building is as much a draw as the art inside it.
Built in 1905 by engineer Alberto Robles Gil (who later became governor of Jalisco), this neoclassical mansion in Colonia Juárez was abandoned for 47 years. Water leaks, dust, decay. It was slated for demolition to make way for real estate development.
Then Pepe Islas, founder of Proyectos Públicos, bought it and rescued it. But here's the twist: instead of a pristine restoration, he preserved the patina. The decaying wood, the peeling paint, the windows without glass, the graffiti left by people who illegally occupied the space—it all stays.
Venue Details
- ◆Address: Calle General Prim 30-32, Col. Juárez, Cuauhtémoc
- ◆Nearest Metro: Insurgentes (5-10 min walk)
- ◆From Roma/Condesa: 10-15 min walk
- ◆Architecture: Renovated by Productora and Alberto Kalach in 2014
Atlas Obscura calls it one of Mexico City's hidden gems. Louis Vuitton shot a campaign here. But during Art Week, it belongs to the artists.
Fair Sections
Convocatoria (Open Call)
The heart of Salón ACME. Around 80 artists selected from 1,800+ applications by a curatorial board that changes every year. The board includes artists, curators, scholars, gallerists, and museum directors—ensuring fresh perspectives each edition. Application is free, all techniques welcome, maximum price per work is $100,000 MXN.
Estado (State)
Each year, one Mexican state gets the spotlight. For 2026, it's Puebla, curated by art historian Nina Fiocco. Past editions featured Veracruz (2025), Nuevo León (2024), and others. This section de-centers Mexico City and highlights regional scenes that rarely get international attention.
Proyectos (Projects)
Solo presentations from galleries, residency programs, and art spaces from Mexico and internationally. The 2026 edition includes projects from Mexico City, London, Buenos Aires, and beyond. This is where you'll see more curated, gallery-backed presentations alongside the open call.
Bodega
A themed exhibition curated by a guest team. Past themes have explored personal spaces, memory, and domestic life. The 2025 edition ("From Bed to Living Room") featured 21 artists. Expect something intimate and conceptual.
Patio
Large-scale installations in the mansion's outdoor spaces. Past years have featured work addressing ecological themes, urban vegetation, and anti-monuments. This is where ACME gets ambitious and site-specific.
Sala
Editorial and printed materials—zines, artist books, independent publications, critical investigations. A nod to ACME's interdisciplinary roots.
How Salón ACME Supports Artists
ACME isn't just a place to show work—it's a launching pad. Here's what they offer:
Free Application, Fair Split
No application fee (unprecedented for art fairs). If your work sells, you keep 60%—the fair takes 40%. Compare that to gallery commissions of 50% or more.
HANGAR Residency (Lisbon)
HANGAR - Centro de Investigação Artística awards a one-month residency in Lisbon, Portugal to a selected artist. Past winners have used this to develop new bodies of work and connect with European art scenes.
Casa Wabi Residency (Oaxaca)
A one-month residency at Tadao Ando's stunning Casa Wabi on the coast of Oaxaca. One of Mexico's most prestigious artist residencies, awarded to a participating artist.
Cobertizo Residency (Mexico)
Two artists receive residencies at Cobertizo, a Mexican art space focused on contemporary art production.
Biennial of the Americas Award (Colorado)
New in 2025: a 2-4 week residency at RedLine Contemporary Art Center in Denver, Colorado, in partnership with the Biennial of the Americas.
International Visitors Program
ACME invites curators from institutions like the Centre Pompidou, Palais de Tokyo, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza to the fair. These aren't casual visitors—they're actively looking for emerging talent. Direct access to this level of institutional attention is rare.
"Participating in the Open Call exhibition can represent an important step in an artist's career. It is an opportunity to have wide visibility among a very diverse audience and to establish direct contact with the most important agents of the artistic and cultural scene."
What to Expect
Raw, emerging, unfiltered. You're seeing artists before they have gallery representation—some will be rough, some will blow you away. All formats and media: painting, sculpture, video, performance, installation.
Entry-level. Works max out at $100,000 MXN (~$5,000 USD), with many pieces in the $100-$3,500 range. This is where you start a collection without needing a trust fund.
22,000 visitors over four days—but more eclectic than the fair crowd. Artists, students, curious locals, serious collectors looking for discoveries, and international curators scouting talent.
ACME is interdisciplinary. Expect live performances, music, literature events, and even gastronomy programming. The Estado section often includes live performances from the featured state.
The venue is half the experience. Wander labyrinthine corridors, discover art in unexpected rooms, find yourself in a courtyard surrounded by preserved decay. Bring your camera.
Salón ACME vs. Material vs. Zona Maco
| ACME | Material | Zona Maco | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Artists (direct) | Emerging galleries | Established galleries |
| Price range | $100 - $5,000 USD | $1,000 - $64,000 | $5,000 - $500,000+ |
| Selection | Free open call | Gallery application | Gallery application |
| Venue | 1905 mansion, Juárez | Maravilla Studios, Atlampa | Centro Citibanamex |
| Vibe | Raw, intimate, DIY | Experimental, social | Corporate, overwhelming |
| Best for | First-time collectors | Emerging collectors | Serious buyers |
Many people do all three—they're not mutually exclusive. But if you're new to collecting and want to buy something you love from someone you can actually talk to, ACME is where to start.
Practical Information
February 5-8, 2026 (same dates as Material)
Available at salonacme.com. Much more affordable than the other fairs.
Calle General Prim 30-32, Col. Juárez. Walking distance from Roma Norte. Metro Insurgentes is nearby. Easy Uber from anywhere.
Opening day for first picks. Later in the weekend for a more relaxed vibe. Artists are usually present and happy to talk.
Casual. This is the least formal of the three fairs. The building has uneven floors and stairs—wear comfortable shoes.
Pro Tips
Talk to the artists. Unlike gallery fairs, most artists are present at their work. Ask questions. Learn the story. This is the whole point of ACME.
Explore the building. Don't just see the main rooms. Wander the corridors, find the hidden spaces, go upstairs. The venue rewards curiosity.
Check the Estado section. The regional spotlight is often the most interesting part—artists you'd never encounter otherwise, from scenes outside the capital.
Combine with Material. They run the same dates. ACME is in Juárez (walkable from Roma), Material is in Atlampa (quick transit). Do both in one day.
Bring cash for small purchases. Some artists may prefer cash for smaller works. Cards work too, but cash never hurts.
Sustainability Note
Salón ACME is a member of the Gallery Climate Coalition, indicating commitment to sustainable practices in the art sector. Small thing, but worth noting.
Sources
- Salón ACME Official Website
- My Modern Met: Mexico City's Salón ACME Spotlights Emerging Creators
- Whitewall: Salón ACME No. 11 Unveiled in Mexico City
- Whitewall: Ana Castella Centers Latin American Art for Salón ACME 2024
- The Art Newspaper: At Mexico City's Material and Salón Acme fairs
- Whitewall: Proyectos Públicos Hosts Salón Acme
- Atlas Obscura: Proyecto Público Prim
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