Jan Tichy, Bats, 2002–2007, Richard Gray Gallery, Chicago, IL

March will kick off an exciting new spring season with Armory Arts Week, which runs from March 5 to March 10. The goal of Armory Arts Week is to celebrate the city’s artistic communities, and highlight the art scene with different events each night. The art fairs participating in Armory Week include the Armory Show, Volta NY, ADAA Art Show, Fountain Art Fair, Independent, Moving Image, New City Art Fair: Japanese Contemporary Art, PooL Art Fair New York, and SCOPE New York. During this week, the city that never sleeps will be even more energized, with art enthusiasts roaming the city and visiting the fairs.

Tom Wesselmann, Kiki, 2003, Galerie Thomas Modern, Munich, Germany

The Armory Show is one of the most historic and important art fairs to exhibit in New York City. This year is particularly special, because the show is celebrating its centennial. The Armory, which was also known as the International Exhibition of Modern Art, was organized by the Association of American Painters and Sculptors in 1913. It was the first large exhibition of Modern Art in America. The show became an important event in the history of American Art because it introduced the American public, who was accustomed to realist works, to the styles of modernism. Americans were shocked and amazed by the wild colors of Fauvism, the analytical constructions of Cubism, and the technical concepts of Futurism in the first show. The fair served as a channel for American artists who became more independent and were inspired to fashion their own artistic techniques. This tradition of exchanging modern and contemporary ideas continues today. The Armory Show begins on March 6 with the Armory Party at MoMA, a benefit for the Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1. The doors of the fair will be open from March 7 to March 10 at Piers 92 and 94 in Chelsea, NY. Pier 92 will focus on featuring prominent international galleries that specialize in modern and secondary art market material, while Pier 94 will exhibit contemporary works by living artists, solo projects, and works from emerging galleries.

Patrick Lo Giudice, Mothers Pride (Mutterstolz), 2005, Galerie Römerapotheke, Zurich, Switzerland

In conjunction with the Armory Show, there will be numerous events held within the fair, including open forum discussions with a panel of experts, films curated by Moving Image, tours structured to specific collecting tastes, and family programs presented in partnership with New York City’s Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA).

Gerard Ellis, Untitled (Disillusionment), 2013, Lyle O. Reitzel, Santo Domingo

This year, VOLTA NY will be in its new larger location at 82 Mercer in SoHo, New York. This fair, an invitational show of emerging solo artist projects, was started in 2008 by Amanda Coulson. VOLTA NY’s purpose is to promote a deep exploration of the works selected, and offer an opportunity for a guest to discover the pieces beyond the traditional art fair standards. This year, the fair will showcase 94 international galleries from 6 continents, and promote artists from 38 nations. VOLTA NY will also present an open forum with a professional panel and offer tours for guests. VIP Card holders can receive mutual access to the Armory Show, Moving Image, New City Art Fair, Fountain Art Fair, SCOPE, and SPRING/BREAK Art Show. There will also be a complementary shuttle available to guests between VOLTA and the Armory Show from Thursday through Sunday.

Susan Batu, Untitled, 2012, Dirimart, Istanbul, Turkey

Another exciting anniversary that will take place this year is that of The Art Show, which started 25 years ago. The Art Show, organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA), will run from March 6 to 10 at the Park Avenue Armory. A Gala Preview benefitting the Henry Street Settlement will be held on Tuesday, March 5. As usual, the fair will focus on carefully curated solo, two-person, and thematic exhibitions by 72 of the nation’s leading art dealers and galleries. Installations at The Art Show will be thoughtfully placed among modern master and innovative contemporary pieces. Each year, The Art Show attracts an impressive number of 20,000 guests, who come to meet established dealers, discuss and acquire works on display, and enjoy fine paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs.

Karl Hofer, Mädchen mit Amaryllis, c.1936, Gallery Ludorff, Duesseldorf, Germany

SCOPE secured the landmark venue, Skylight at Moynihan Station, for the 2013 art fair. New York City’s iconic post office will house works by 55 international galleries alongside 20 Breeder Program galleries. SCOPE exhibitors represent the best and brightest contemporary work from emerging and mid-career artists. This year, the Breeder Program will celebrate its 13th year of introducing new galleries to the contemporary market. SCOPE New York opens to the press and VIP’s on Wednesday March 6 with the “First View Benefit,” and will run from March 7 to 10. Just like many of the other fairs held this week, SCOPE will present avant-garde programming, collector tours, and unique events featuring innovative works from various industries, including fashion, film, music, and performance.

Volodymyr Palylyk, Diana Thater in Chernobyl, 2010, David Zwirner, New York

Armory Arts Week is one of the most highly anticipated events of the spring art season. There is a lot to celebrate and see this year in the Big Apple. We hope that you’ll check out the participating artnet Galleries listed below!

Participating artnet Galleries Members: