Founded in 2011 by Fabio Castelli as MIA – Milan Image Art Fair, MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas is Italy’s first and most important contemporary art fair dedicated to photography.

At the heart of the fair is the concept of “image”, which gives the event its name: an image understood not only as the outcome of a photographic shot, but as a complex creative process—shaped by research, experimentation, and hybridization of visual languages, including the use of innovative tools such as artificial intelligence.

MIA is a cultural platform that brings together collecting, experimentation, and artistic research through a rich exhibition format featuring solo and group shows, curatorial projects, and thematic sections. Its mission is to promote photography as a contemporary artistic language, in dialogue with all visual arts, and capable of engaging galleries, artists, curators, and collectors.

The fair offers visitors a comprehensive journey through fine art photography, thanks to curated sections, awards, and a vibrant cultural program of events and talks aimed at encouraging informed and thoughtful collecting, with prominent guests from both the Italian and international art scenes. Since 2022, the fair has joined Fiere di Parma and in 2025, with the arrival of BNL BNP Paribas as title sponsor, it strengthened its international outlook and its commitment to supporting contemporary visual culture.

The 2026 edition will feature several curated sections that examine the multifaceted nature of photography:

* Main Section: Showcasing established galleries from Italy and abroad. 
* Beyond Photography—Dialogue: Curated by Domenico de Chirico, exploring photography in dialogue other media as sculpture, painting, video, and installation. 
* Reportage Beyond Reportage: Curated by Emanuela Mazzonis, this section delves into documentary, photojournalism, and street photography. 
* Special Focus: Curated by Rischa Paterlini, offering a photographic deep dive into the contemporary art scene of a selected country or region, soon to be revealed.

The fair also hosts several prestigious awards:

* BNL BNP Paribas Award: An acquisition prize for the bank’s prestigious art collection. 
* Fiere di Parma Fund: Targeted acquisitions of outstanding works shown at the fair. 
* Additional Awards: Focused on both artwork acquisition and gallery support.

In 2025, the fair welcomed over 13,000 visitors, featuring 114 exhibitors and 77 galleries.

Now in its 15th year, MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas continues to grow as both a marketplace and cultural hub, supporting the work of emerging and established voices.

More information and updates: here