IN CONVERSATION WITH SARA HALLAT-CEO OF META FOUNDATION
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Johannesburg’s creative spaces will once again become the centre of the city’s visual arts scene when Contra.Joburg returns on 29 and 30 August 2026, bringing artists, galleries, studios and members of the public together for an immersive weekend of art and conversation.
Now in its 2026 edition, Contra.Joburg describes itself as an immersive two-day visual arts experience built around three ideas: meet the artists, see the work and start a conversation. This year’s theme, “Different is good,” is intended to encourage audiences to look at Johannesburg and its creative community from a different perspective.
The festival will take place across venues in and around Johannesburg, with different spaces participating on each day. According to the event organisers, the 2026 programme brings together 16 venues and more than 177 artists, giving visitors an opportunity to experience art in galleries, artist studios and other creative spaces rather than limiting the experience to conventional exhibition venues.
The event is being hosted by the META foundation, a Johannesburg-based visual arts non-profit focused on supporting artists, developing creative projects and connecting artists with audiences.
The foundation was established in 2020 and works through programmes including workshops, professional-practice development, studio provision, residencies, awards and art commissions. It also runs programming at August House Artists’ Studios, which houses more than 40 practising visual artists from South Africa and elsewhere on the continent and internationally.
Contra.Joburg has grown out of this broader effort to create greater access to Johannesburg’s visual arts community.
Now in its 2026 edition, Contra.Joburg describes itself as an immersive two-day visual arts experience built around three ideas: meet the artists, see the work and start a conversation. This year’s theme, “Different is good,” is intended to encourage audiences to look at Johannesburg and its creative community from a different perspective.
The festival will take place across venues in and around Johannesburg, with different spaces participating on each day. According to the event organisers, the 2026 programme brings together 16 venues and more than 177 artists, giving visitors an opportunity to experience art in galleries, artist studios and other creative spaces rather than limiting the experience to conventional exhibition venues.
The event is being hosted by the META foundation, a Johannesburg-based visual arts non-profit focused on supporting artists, developing creative projects and connecting artists with audiences.
The foundation was established in 2020 and works through programmes including workshops, professional-practice development, studio provision, residencies, awards and art commissions. It also runs programming at August House Artists’ Studios, which houses more than 40 practising visual artists from South Africa and elsewhere on the continent and internationally.
Contra.Joburg has grown out of this broader effort to create greater access to Johannesburg’s visual arts community.
