Every mid-year, Yogyakarta hosts an event that art lovers eagerly await. Not only artists, curators, collectors, and creative industry professionals, but also tourists who want to experience the atmosphere of contemporary Indonesian art in one place. That's why ARTJOG Often referred to as “Eid al-Fitr of the Arts”, like the Eid moment in the true sense, ARTJOG is always a moment to gather, dialogue, and celebrate art together.
This year, ARTJOG 2026 will be held again at the Jogja National Museum (JNM), Yogyakarta, from June 19 to August 30, 2026. Entering a new curatorial phase, this year's event marks the beginning of a major theme trilogy entitled ARS LONGA, which will run until 2028. The first series carries the theme ARS LONGA: GENERATION, an idea that invites the public to examine how knowledge, experiences, values, and artistic practices continue to move from one generation to the next. This theme also serves as a way to re-interpret the role of art amid ongoing social change.
Phrase Ars Longa The term itself comes from the Latin phrase meaning "art is eternal." Through this trilogy, ARTJOG aims to emphasize that art always has a relevance that transcends its time. Art does not stop at one generation, but rather lives on through the process of inheritance, learning, and renewal that occurs over time. In the first year of this trilogy, Generation, specifically highlighting intergenerational relationships as an important foundation in the arts ecosystem.
To translate the theme, ARTJOG appointed Roby Dwi Antono as this year's commissioned artist. Through a project entitled GENERATION: CYCLUS VITAERoby presents a series of sculptural installations and immersive spaces that invite visitors to reflect on how the experiences and wounds of previous generations can shape the identities of the next. This work is a major highlight upon entering the exhibition area.
Topic on Generation also realized through two curatorial approaches, namely dialogue and Practice. In the segment dialogue, visitors can see various collaborative works that emphasize the importance of dialogue and knowledge exchange between generations. Meanwhile, Practice presenting individual artistic practices that address a variety of contemporary issues through varying perspectives.
Some of the names involved in ARTJOG 2026 include Alyakha Kolektif, Atreyu Moniaga Project, Dolorosa Sinaga with the Arts Activism Class, Jessica Soekidi, and TEMPA. In addition to presenting invited artists, this year's ARTJOG also brings together the works of 25 selected artists and collectives with 19 young artists under the age of 35 who passed through an open selection process. This meeting of various generations is an important part of the larger narrative that aims to be built throughout the exhibition.
Not only presenting visual art exhibitions, ARTJOG also presents various supporting programs that make the visiting experience more diverse. ARTJOG's performance program presents a number of musical performances, performances, and multidisciplinary projects from Indonesian and international artists. Visitors can also take part in the Exhibition Tour, Meet the Artist, ARTJOG Kids, Love ARTJOG, ARTCARE Indonesia, and The Others Lab which are designed to open a space for closer interaction between works, artists, and the public.
More than just an annual event, ARTJOG has grown into a cultural destination, strengthening Yogyakarta's position as an arts city. Each year, the festival offers new reasons to return, while also sparking conversations about issues relevant to today's lives.
Through ARS LONGA: GENERATIONARTJOG 2026 reminds us that art is not just about works exhibited in galleries. Art also serves as a space for sharing experiences, knowledge, and imagination, passed down from one generation to the next.
For those of you who want to visit ARTJOG, you can still buy tickets. right here..
