The official start to the fall art season is upon us. Kids are back in school, the heat may soon abate, and the Ruinart is ready to be corked. That’s right, it’s Armory Art Week, whence a slew of fairs arrive in Manhattan, and galleries and museums across New York City celebrate the beginning of another action-packed year.

Below, enjoy our essential guide to the upcoming parade of art events.

The Armory Show

The Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Vincent Tullo, courtesy of the Armory Show.

When: VIP preview Thursday, September 7, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Public hours Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, September 10, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Where: Javits Center, Crystal Palace Entrance, 429 11th Avenue 

What to Know: Is it a regional fair or an international one? That is the question on many art world observers’ lips these days, and the 2023 instantiation of the Armory Show may help settle the matter. Although the Armory show was bought by growing art-fair conglomerate Frieze earlier this year in a deal announced in July, expectations are that this edition will be unchanged by the acquisition.  

It’s the fair’s third outing at the Javits Center, an enviable venue (and perhaps part of Frieze’s interest in buying the Armory Show). The event will host more than 225 galleries representing more than 35 countries and 800 artists.

This year also heralds the third edition of Armory Off-Site. The outdoor program will present three large-scale sculptures at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the U.S. Open, and present artworks in partnership with Times Square Arts at the organization’s Midnight Moment program.

Independent 20th Century 

Work by Lee Quiñones on view with Ross and Kramer Gallery, New York, at the Independent 20th Century fair at the Battery Maritime Building. Photo courtesy of Ross and Kramer Gallery, New York.

When: VIP preview Thursday, September 7, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Public hours Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, September 10, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Where: Battery Maritime Building at Cipriani South Street, 10 South Street 

What to Know: For the sophomore edition of Independent 20th Century, which focuses on the rich artistic movements and artists of the period between 1900 and 2000, more than 30 galleries and non-profit organizations will showcase works at the historic Battery Maritime Building at Cipriani South Street, with 12 exhibitors including Almine Rech, Van Doren Waxter, and the Hauser & Wirth Institute making their debut at the fair.

Female artists are at the forefront this year, with highlights including a solo presentation of French artist Marie Laurencin, presented by Nahmad Contemporary, and Galerie Lelong and Co.’s presentation of an unseen body of work by the late artist Mildred Thompson. 

Photofairs 

Work by Ole Marius Jorgensen, exhibited at Momentum Gallery.

When: VIP preview Thursday, September 7, 2 p.m.–7 p.m.; Public hours Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, September 10, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Where: Javits Center 

What to Know: The long-awaited debut of Asia’s largest photography fair in the U.S. is finally upon us, promising an exposition of 60 international galleries that will “bring a new energy to the fall season in New York.” A range of video, virtual-reality, and photographic works will be on display under the guidance of art world veteran Helen Toomer, director of the New York edition.

Exhibitors include For Freedoms (New York), ROLF ART (Buenos Aires), Luis de Jesus Los Angeles (Los Angeles), Momentum (Miami), and 193 Gallery (Paris). Special programming will be presented by partners including Fotografiska New York and Gagosian Quarterly.

Spring/Break 

Yasmine K. Kasem’s work, curated by Rokhsane Hovaida, at Spring/Break Art Show Los Angeles 2022. Photo by Sarah Cascone.

When: First look Wednesday, September 6: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; opening night 5 p.m.–8 p.m.; Public hours Thursday, September 7–Monday, September 11, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. 

Where: 625 Madison Avenue

What to Know: This smaller fair, which often makes use of unconventional venues, has been called “scrappy,” “beloved,” and even “undoubtedly the best New York City fair at which to snap up emerging artists at reasonable price points”—and that’s just in Artnet News.  

Founded by Andrew Gori and Ambre Kelly in 2009, Spring/Break has engendered a crowd of devout cheerleaders over the intervening years, climbing from a fringe fair to a staple—a beloved (yes, we’ll say it again) diversion from the commerce of Armory Week. This year, Spring/Break hosts more than 120 curatorial projects with work from more than 400 artists at the former headquarters of Ralph Lauren. 

Art on Paper 

A view of Art on Paper in New York City. Photo courtesy of Art on Paper.

When: VIP preview Thursday, September 7: 5 p.m.–6 p.m.; opening night: 6 p.m.–9 p.m.; Public hours Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, September 10, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Where: Pier 36, 299 South Street 

What to Know: The ninth edition of Art on Paper, which showcases… art on paper… returns to Manhattan’s Pier 36 during Armory Week with a robust 100-exhibitor lineup under the direction of Nato Thompson. Highlights include a dual presentation of Judy Pfaff and Barbara Zucker at Accola Griefen gallery, and ADLAR Studio will show prints by artists Kenny Scharf, Analia Saban, Shane Guffogg, Matthew Brandt, and the Haas Brothers.

Salon Zürcher 

Colleen Herman, Rupture (2022). Courtesy of Salon Zürcher.

When: Monday, September 4, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.; Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 6, 2 p.m.–8 p.m.; Thursday, September 7–Saturday, September 9, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, September 10, 12 p.m.–5 p.m. 

Where: Zürcher Gallery, 33 Bleecker Street 

What to Know: This mini-fair, which has its other edition in Paris, bills itself as an alternative to “superstore-style fairs,” during Armory Week. The 29th edition of Salon Zurcher is titled “The 11 Women of Spirit, Part 8,” and features—you guessed it—work by women artists. Among the 11 Women showing work in Part 8 are Lauren Ball, Elizabeth Bisbing, and Agathe Bouton. 

Clio 

Visitors at Clio Art Fair. Photo courtesy of Clio.

When: VIP opening  Thursday, September 7: 6 p.m.–9 p.m.; Public hours Friday, September 8, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; Saturday, September 9, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, September 10, 2 p.m.–6 p.m.  

Where: 550 West 29th Street 

What to Know: The biannual art fair named after the Greek Muse of history and poetry returns to New York for its 15th edition, continuing its mission to give a platform to artists without exclusive gallery representation.

The alternative model lends itself to a more creative fair-going experience, and in addition to the 70 participating independent artists, this year’s event boasts a series of performances titled “Confess Your Dreams” and a special section titled “Losing Track of the Lost” that explores homelessness and social justice.