London Gallery Weekend reports strong growth in footfall from public and international collector visits for third edition

The third edition of London Gallery Weekend, now established as the biggest gallery weekend event in the world, drew to a successful close on Sunday 4 June, with more than 50,000 visits to participating galleries and events over the course of the three days.

The number of international collectors in London for the weekend was beyond expectations with visitors from countries including South Korea, US, Italy, Belgium and France attracted by the gallery exhibitions as well as the wide-ranging VIP programme that included artist studio visits, private collection visits, curator-led museum tours and parties. There was also increased engagement in the public programme on a local level with the Curated Routes from notable figures including Katy Hessel and Gilbert & George - offered for the first time as guided in-person tours as well as online - and an expanded performance programme both proving a big draw.

“London Gallery Weekend was delightful for London visitors to access its great art community! From terrific gallery shows, to wonderful collector visits, to special museum treats, it totally delivered on its goals. Can’t wait for next year’s edition.” Michael Rubel and Kristin Rey, Collectors, Los Angeles

“LGW presents a great opportunity to really concentrate on each of the art districts and see as many galleries as humanly possible! At this time of year, there’s a good energy and good weather, so it’s the perfect time to enjoy the art. This year I’ve found some great additions to my collection and it’s a totally different feeling to collecting at a fair.” Yan Du, Founder, Asymmetry Art Foundation

“This year’s LGW exceeded last year’s attendance in both my gallery and Studio M every day we were open. It was exciting to see so many visitors old and new. With each year LGW goes from strength to strength.” Maureen Paley, Founder Director, Maureen Paley

“To have succeeded in drawing more visitors this year and such positive feedback on the buzz and excitement around the expanded London Gallery Weekend offering is exactly what we’d hoped for. Deepening engagement between collectors, curators and the public with our outstanding London gallery scene is what drives the initiative.” Founder & Director Jeremy Epstein, and Co-Director Sarah Rustin

Drawing collectors and curators from around the UK and internationally, as well as the art-loving public for a city-wide celebration of London’s vibrant gallery scene, the packed programme of events included performances, talks, tours and children’s activities, as well as exhibitions. Major international names and emerging talents were on display at galleries spanning the capital, including several new participants and a record number of new exhibitions opening especially for the weekend.
Curator Bursaries

The London Gallery Weekend curator bursary scheme was increased in 2023 to support visits from four international institutions, in addition to the existing partnership with Art Fund to bring 22 UK regional museums and galleries representatives to London. Designed to strengthen relationships between London’s galleries and colleagues at institutions from further afield, the new scheme saw international curators from CAPC Musée d'art contemporain de Bordeaux (France), Kunsthalle Mannheim (Germany), MAMbo - Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna (Italy) and Wiels (Belgium) join curators from institutions around the UK, including Aberdeen Archives, The Hepworth Wakefield, Spike Island and Brighton CCA.

“What a fantastic London Gallery Weekend. I’m so pleased Art Fund was once again able to support the curators’ bursaries through our successful partnership. It was brilliant to see the bursary programme expand for 2023 to bring curators from not only UK regional institutions, but also from across the EU, to London, boosting the development of networks and relationships with the international art community.” Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund

“LGW was very inspiring. You could really feel the energy and creativity as you walked around the city. Bringing so many galleries together under one event gave it a festival feel while allowing me to discover lots of galleries I otherwise wouldn’t have visited. The support and focus on clustered areas and introductions by the LGW team meant that I could plan my route and make meaningful connections with the galleries and in some cases artists. The funding and support to visit LGW via Art Fund and LGW was essential, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to go. Just as important as getting down to see and speak to the galleries was also making connections with colleagues from around the country.” Martin Craig, Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow

"London Gallery Weekend provided a very generative platform for me to connect with artists, galleries and curatorial colleagues in the UK. I’m looking forward to strengthening ties with some of the curatorial colleagues I was able to meet in person for the first time and I was very impressed in particular by the strong presentations of a younger generation of artists. LGW’s decision to focus on a particular area each day proved to be instrumental in helping me to not feel completely overwhelmed by the London geography and I was glad to follow their recommendations." Helena Kritis, Curator, Wiels Brussels
Performance Programme