IFEMA Madrid Retains ARCO Team Under Gonzalo Cabrera, Maribel López for New Phase
The Facts
On July 17, 2026, IFEMA MADRID announced that the ARCOmadrid and ARCOlisboa teams will continue under the leadership of Gonzalo Cabrera, Director of Culture and Education, and fair director Maribel López. The team, credited with establishing ARCO as a leading international contemporary art fair, includes Ruth Gómez (gallery relations), Mario Navarro (curated programmes), Carmen Tasende (special projects), Ana Álvarez (Forum and professionals’ programme), M. Carmen del Peso (guest programme), Gori Gómez (cultural venues), and Pedro Vasconi (Fundación ARCO). The new phase will focus on strengthening ARCO’s international leadership and expanding opportunities for the sector.
The Signal
The continuity of the ARCO team, combining Cabrera’s two-decade track record with the recent success of López’s leadership, signals strategic stability for one of Europe’s key contemporary art fairs. For galleries and collectors, the retention of a known team ensures relational consistency and market confidence amid a shifting global art landscape. The emphasis on international leadership and new challenges suggests ARCO is positioning itself to compete more aggressively with other top-tier fairs, while the dual fair structure (Madrid and Lisbon) offers a expanded platform for Iberian and global contemporary art.
- People: Gonzalo Cabrera, Maribel López, Ruth Gómez, Mario Navarro, Carmen Tasende, Ana Álvarez, M. Carmen del Peso, Gori Gómez, Pedro Vasconi
- Locations: Madrid, Lisbon
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