Metamorphosis of the image: the 15th Edition of MIA Photo Fair 2026 BNP Paribas is back in Milan

Editorial Staff
Mar 18
3 min read

Updated: Mar 21

From March 19 to 22, 2026, the Italian fair dedicated to photography brings together galleries, artists, curators, and international institutions at Superstudio Più, turning Milan into a privileged observatory of the transformations of the contemporary image.

Courtesy MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas. Ph Zima Studio

Milan once again takes center stage in the contemporary photography scene with the fifteenth edition of MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas, a key event in the city’s cultural calendar and a major reference point for collecting and visual research in Italy.

Organized by Fiere di Parma and directed for the third year by Francesca Malgara, the event presents a wide-ranging program that brings into dialogue historical and contemporary photography, documentary practices, new technologies, and interdisciplinary experimentation.

With 111 selected exhibitors: including 76 galleries, 27 international participants, and numerous first-time entrants, the fair confirms its role as an international platform connecting artists, institutions, and audiences.

Metamorphosis: the theme of the 15th edition of MIA Photo Fair 2026

The guiding theme for 2026 is “Metamorphosis,” a concept that runs throughout the entire curatorial project, from the thematic sections to the awards and special projects.

Inspired by Ovid’s eponymous work, the theme interprets change as a universal condition and as a key to understanding contemporary life. Photography thus becomes a language in transformation: evolving in its media, technologies, and narrative modes, while simultaneously reflecting the cultural and social shifts of the present.

The leading image of this edition is a historic Polaroid by the American artist William Wegman, chosen for its ability to combine humor and conceptual depth without relying on digital manipulation.

Press conference MIA Photo Fair 2026. Courtesy MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas. Ph Zima Studio

Fair sections: exploring research, documentation and new imaginaries

The exhibition is organized into four main sections: Main Section, Beyond Photography -Dialogue, Reportage Beyond Reportage, and FOCUS Latino.

Curated by Domenico de Chirico, the Beyond Photography - Dialogue section explores the intersections between photography and other artistic languages, from sculpture to performance, offering a reflection on expressive freedom and the transformations of the contemporary image.

Reportage Beyond Reportage, curated by Emanuela Mazzonis, investigates the evolutions of documentary photography, where reportage transforms into complex and introspective storytelling, inviting viewers to slow down their gaze in an era dominated by visual overproduction.

The FOCUS Latino section, curated by Rischa Paterlini, brings together Latin American, Iberian, and diasporic artists with international creators, addressing themes related to hybrid identities, migration, and cultural transformations.

Completing the program is the Main Section, dedicated to projects by established galleries that interpret the theme of metamorphosis through diverse languages and approaches.

Courtesy Tallulah Studio Art. Ph Giorgia Isola

Awards, publishing and cultural program

Ten awards help promote contemporary photography, supporting both emerging and established artists. These include the BNL BNP Paribas Award, the Deloitte Photo Grant, the Superstudio Photo Award dedicated to young European photographers, and The Collectors.Chain Prize, promoted by Art Defender.

Alongside the exhibition program, the fair features a section dedicated to photographic publishing and a full calendar of talks and meetings with curators, collectors, and international artists. The program addresses topics such as the photography market, artist residencies, and new perspectives in collecting.

The OFF Circuit: photography spreads across the city

As every year, MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas extends beyond the fairgrounds through the OFF Circuit, involving galleries, museums, and iconic locations in Milan with parallel exhibitions and events.

Highlights include exhibitions at venues such as 10 Corso Como, Fabbrica del Vapore, Gallerie d’Italia and MUDEC, helping to reinforce the city’s role as an international hub for photography.