It’s officially spring in New York City. The Upper East Side is swathed in newly-bloomed tulips and whole new crop of art fairs has arrived in town.
Overwhelmed? No need. We’ve got your go-to guide for all of the events happening this season in the city.
Pace Gallery, Frieze New York 2023. Photo by Casey Kelbaugh. Courtesy CKA and Frieze.
The marquee fair is returning to its digs at the Shed in Hudson Yards for its 12th edition in the Big Apple. The comparably slim size of the fair—just 68 galleries—is dictated by the venue, but don’t think that exhibitors won’t be bringing their A game to this outing. In addition to the blue-chip stalwarts returning this year, 11 galleries will be showing in the Focus section, curated for the first time by Lumi Tan— the creative force behind L.A.’s Luna Luna park—and will include a showing of Stanley Stellar’s photographs at Kapp Kapp and Reverend Joyce McDonald at Gordon Robichaux.
When: VIP Preview: Wednesday, May 1, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Thursday, May 2–Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: The Shed at 545 West 30th Street
Reggie Khumalo, The Africa I Know (2023). Courtesy of The African Art Hub (TAAH).
The largest edition to date of the contemporary African art fair is on view now, in a new location at the heart of Chelsea. With eight newcomers and more than 30 returning exhibitors, the diverse array of art on view “underscores the fair’s commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of contemporary African art on a global stage.”
When: VIP preview: Wednesday, May 1, 2 p.m.–7 p.m. and Thursday, May 2, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Public hours: Friday, May 3–Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where: Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 West 26th Street
The historic Estonian House will provide the venue for the first edition of Esther. Photo: Courtesy of Estonian House.
Who is she? Only the “Smart, Scrappy, and Small New Art Fair” alighting in the city this week. With performances by Venice Biennale alum Kris Lemsalu, panels featuring Magda Sawon, Laura Raicovich, and regular live music and authentic Estonian dinners on tap… the only answer is: the only game in town. This new arrival, helmed by veteran gallerists Margot Samel and Olga Temnikova, will feature 25 galleries, each of whom will surely appreciate the lower entrance fee (free with a timed reservation) and heightened interest in a respite from mega-fair shopping mall vibes.
When: April 30, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; May 1–3, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; May 4, 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: New York Estonian House, 243 E 34th Street
Future Fair
Mia Weiner, Condessa (for G.) (2022). Courtesy of the artist and Mama Projects, New York, NY.
Future Fair returns for its fourth New York edition after launching in the wilds of 2020. The transparency of the model—which operates akin to a co-op, with the exhibiting galleries considered shareholders who split a percentage of the profits with the fair—has helped contribute to its success. On the whole, participating galleries are smaller, funkier, and actually dedicated to their artists, a place where visitors might discover something novel and exciting.
When: VIP Preview: Wednesday, May 1, 3 p.m.–8 p.m.; Public hours, Thursday, May 2–Friday, May 3, 12 p.m.–7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 4, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Chelsea Industrial, 538 West 28th Street
Installation view of Halsey McKay Gallery at NADA New York 2023.
The 10th edition of NADA New York helps to round out the balance of events, with nearly 100 exhibitors (34 first-timers) hailing from 31 international cities. The “Curated Spotlight” section will show off underrepresented artists from five galleries.
When: VIP Preview (by invitation): Thursday, May 2, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Public hours: Thursday, May 2, 4–7 p.m.; Friday, May 3 & Saturday, May 4–5, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.;Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: 548 West 22nd Street
Barbara Nessim, Rainbow Trinity (1973). Courtesy of the artist and Derek Eller Gallery.
Season 2 of the wildly successful mini fair returns to Eric Firestone’s loft this year, with a showcase of 18 stalwart galleries presenting works by artists who were active in the titular ’70s. Look out for New York favorites Ryan Lee, Ortuzar Projects, Karma, Andrew Kreps, and Franklin Parrasch, plus host Eric Firestone, all bringing interesting and oft-overlooked artists who were integral to their local art scenes of the decade.
When: Thursday, May 2, 5–8 p.m.; Friday, May 3–Saturday May 4, 12–7 p.m.; Sunday, May 5, 12–6 p.m.
Where: Eric Firestone Loft: 4 Great Jones Street
TEFAF New York
Sean Kelly shows a Kehinde Wiley portrait at TEFAF New York 2022. Photo by David Benthal, courtesy of TEFAF.
The swanky uptown affair returns to the Park Avenue Armory, where visitors can expect breathtaking floral designs, inventive cocktails, and of course, an expertly vetted trove of art and design. At TEFAF, there is as much joy in the objects presented as in their presentation. Among the more than 90 exhibitors, 16 will stage presentations in the historic period rooms of the Park Avenue Armory, with the others taking up residence in the Drill Hall. Designs by a range of artists including Wendell Castle, François-Xavier Lalanne, and Virgil Abloh will be on view along with paintings by Joan Snyder, Giorgio de Chirico, and Jenny Holzer.
When: VIP preview (invitation only): Thursday, May 9, 1 p.m.–8 p.m.; Public hours, Friday, May 10–Monday, May 13, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Tuesday, May 14, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue
Independent New York
Kota Ezawa, Hollywood Hills (2018). Courtesy of Fraenkel Gallery and Ryan Lee Gallery, exhibitors of Independent New York, 2024.
Gearing up for its 15th anniversary edition, Independent returns to Tribeca with more than 130 artists—39 of whom are making their debut—at 88 galleries and nonprofits, overseen by curatorial advisor Matthew Higgs. A highlight of the event will be the co-curated presentation “15×15: Independent 2010–2024” helmed by Higgs and Independent founder Elizabeth Dee, which will highlight some of the most significant offerings and discoveries from the fair’s history.
When: VIP Preview, Thursday: May 9, 5 p.m.–8 p.m.; Public hours, Friday, May 10–Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, May 12, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Spring Studios, 50 Varick Street