The MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas will celebrate its 15th anniversary edition from March 19-22, 2026, at Superstudio Più in Milan's creative Via Tortona district. Directed by Francesca Malgara and organized by Fiere di Parma, the fair has confirmed its central position in Europe's contemporary photography landscape. For this milestone anniversary edition, a comprehensive prize package totaling nearly 80,000 euros will be awarded to participating artists and galleries.
This year's edition operates under the theme "Metamorphosis," which explores the concept of transformation, from social and cultural changes to the evolution of photographic practices. The metamorphosis concept is reflected throughout the fair's artistic direction, special projects, and visual identity, which features a historic Polaroid work by William Wegman. Francesca Malgara has designed this 15th edition to serve both as an achievement and a new beginning, recognizing that photography continues to change its appearance while maintaining its power to interpret reality.
As in previous years, awards play a prominent role in the fair's programming. The BNL BNP Paribas Award, established in 2012, will recognize an artwork that will join the group's extensive collection. The Fiere di Parma Acquisition Fund will support the purchase of exhibited pieces to enrich the institutional collection while supporting participating galleries. Additional awards reinforce the fair's exploratory dimension, including the Casa Museo Molinario Colombari Award for best booth and the miramART Acquisition Award designated for an artist from the Focus section.
Several initiatives spotlight emerging talent and new voices in photography. Erik Kessels' Portfolio Parade offers an international selection of portfolios presented in an experimental installation format. The Superstudio Photo Award, a new addition for 2026, targets young European photographers and pays tribute to the legacy of Oliviero Toscani. These programs demonstrate the fair's commitment to nurturing the next generation of photographic artists.
The fair's physical organization centers around a Main Section and three curatorial sections that explore different aspects of contemporary photography. The first curatorial section, "Beyond Photography – Dialogue," explores exchanges between photography and other artistic disciplines. The second section, "Reportage Beyond Reportage," questions contemporary forms of documentary photography, moving away from immediate media coverage. Meanwhile, a "Focus Latino" section brings together Latin American, Iberian, and diasporic artists around concepts of hybrid identity and cultural transformation.
Since its inception, MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas has attracted more than 400,000 visitors and continues to draw a growing number of international galleries, establishing itself as an essential cultural and professional platform in Italy and throughout Europe. The 2026 edition aims to extend this dynamic momentum by providing a space where photography, in perpetual metamorphosis, reveals its essential role in understanding the present moment.
The 2026 edition also marks the strengthening of the partnership with BNL BNP Paribas, which became the fair's main sponsor in 2025 after more than a decade of continuous support. This enhanced partnership demonstrates the banking group's long-term commitment to supporting contemporary photography and the arts in Europe, ensuring the fair's continued growth and international prominence.
