ARTBO was launched in 2004 under the vision of the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá, which recognized the role of cultural and creative sectors in the city's economic development and created a model for promoting and spreading contemporary art. Since then, ARTBO’s objective has been to promote and position Bogotá as a destination for culture and business; to strengthen the commercial viability and promotion of visual arts; and to provide a place for cultural exchange and public education.

ARTBO is the key driver of the national art scene and a must-see event in the art world. Among its diverse activities is the International Art Fair of Bogotá, which is one of the best quality fairs in Latin America. It has grown from 12,000 attendees in 2004 to 35,000 visitors in 2016, figures that reveal an interest in an increasingly consolidated market.