LISBON ART WEEKEND: A Conversation with the Founders
Each autumn, Lisbon Art Weekend turns the city into a dynamic map of contemporary art, connecting galleries, artist-run spaces, and curious visitors across Lisbon. What began as a local initiative has grown into one of the most anticipated events on Portugal’s cultural calendar — a moment when the art community opens its doors and welcomes everyone in.
Founded by Merve and Kean, Lisbon Art Weekend was born from a shared vision to highlight the diversity and vitality of Lisbon’s contemporary art scene. Together, they have built a platform that celebrates collaboration, accessibility, and the creative pulse of the city.
We spoke with Merve and Kean about the beginnings of the project, the challenges of uniting so many art spaces under one umbrella, and their vision for Lisbon’s evolving cultural landscape.
Could you start by sharing a bit about your personal and professional backgrounds, and how you first became involved in the Lisbon art scene?
We both come from the cultural field, working with major fairs, institutions and independent projects and have long been immersed in how creative ecosystems shape cities. In Lisbon, we sensed incredible energy but no single moment when the whole scene opened its doors together. Lisbon Art Weekend launched in 2019 to create that: an independent, non-profit, city-wide platform that’s impartial and accessible.
What motivated you to start Lisbon Art Weekend? Was there a specific gap or opportunity you wanted to address in the local scene? Access and visibility. Wonderful projects were happening but weren’t always easy to discover together. We wanted a clear, four-day city moment, free entry, a usable map, tours and talks, so audiences of all kinds could explore and so different types of spaces could be discovered side by side.
How do your different experiences complement each other in running the event? One of us steers strategy, development and long-term positioning, while the other leads the public program, partnerships and production. That combination keeps the project rigorous and pragmatic: clear processes, careful selection and an experience that’s easy to navigate.
What defines the spirit of Lisbon Art Weekend—what makes it distinct from similar initiatives in other cities? Impartiality, openness and the city itself. LAW isn’t run by a gallery association, we have a rotating external selection committee and an open call for art spaces. The map matters too, Lisbon’s neighborhoods become the exhibition route, encouraging discovery and connection.
How do you see Lisbon’s contemporary art landscape evolving, and what role do you hope LAW plays in that evolution? The scene is growing in quality and international attention keeps growing, alongside a real desire to stay welcoming. LAW’s role is to amplify, connecting spaces with audiences, bringing collectors and institutions into conversation with local practices and keeping entry barriers low for the public.
How do you choose which galleries and spaces participate each year? Through an open call for existing art spaces (galleries, non-profits, artist-run spaces and artistic collectives with a physical space), evaluated by a rotating external committee. We look at programming quality, coherence and contribution to the wider ecosystem.
Can you share some meaningful collaborations or discoveries from past editions?
Spot Lisbon, our spin-off focused on Lisbon-based artists without gallery representation, has surfaced strong practices and sparked new relationships.
Public programs, talks and guided tours have become genuine meeting points where press, curators, collectors and first-time visitors share space and conversation.
How do you engage local communities and make contemporary art more accessible? Free entry across the program, clear maps and suggested routes, guided tours and dialogues in welcoming venues. Whenever possible, we work bilingually (for instance, tours in PT/EN) and design the schedule so people can build their own routes at different paces.
What are the main challenges in coordinating such a multi-layered event? Funding stability, city-scale logistics and remaining impartial while working with many spaces, partners and interests. We rely on clear rules (eligibility and selection), realistic budgets and partnerships that add value without influencing content.
How do you measure the success of each edition—through attendance, visibility, or something less tangible?
All of the above: returning spaces, new institutions joining, general attendance, turnout at tours and talks, thoughtful press coverage and the quieter signals, like an artist meeting a future collaborator or a first-time visitor returning the next day with friends.
What are your aspirations for Lisbon Art Weekend over the next five years? Keep it free and city-wide; deepen international exchanges (from collectors to curious travelers), strengthen Spot Lisbon as a bridge for unrepresented artists and resources permitting, set up a year-round hub for information, talks, networking and more.
What do you think Lisbon still needs to fully establish itself as one of Europe’s leading art capitals?
Predictable public support, more mid-scale institutions, sustained backing for studios/residencies and stronger private patronage. The talent is here, long-term structures help it stay and flourish.
Image credits: Lisbon Art Weekend / Ricardo Lobo
Website : lisbonartweekend.com
On Instagram follow @lisbonartweekend @mervepakyurek and @keanpaker
