As New York City awaits the full bloom of spring flowers, a host of art fairs are set to emerge across the boroughs, offering a feast for art enthusiasts.
Returning to The Shed this May, Frieze is typically the main attraction for contemporary art collectors, market analysts, and trendsetters, but it is far from the only event of interest this season. Our guide caters to a diverse audience, including enthusiasts of radical zines, Dolly Parton admirers, budget-conscious collectors (and we really mean budget!), and those eager to explore the rich history of art legacies.
Highlights include the free community programs and workshops at the Black Zine Fair, the IFPDA Print Fair’s new drawing dealers, and works by artists participating in this year’s Venice Biennale. For more art experiences, explore our exhibition suggestions for the upcoming season.
Affordable Art Fair
March 18–22 | affordableartfair.com
Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 W 26th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
The Affordable Art Fair returns to New York City this week, featuring pieces priced between $100 and $12,000, with 90 exhibitors presenting art for both novice and seasoned collectors. Celebrating 24 years since its first New York exhibition, the event aligns with the new mayor’s affordability agenda, earning the informal moniker “The Art Fair Zohran Mamdani Would Love.” On Thursday, March 19, attendees who contribute art supplies to a public school drive can enter for free.
Outsider Art Fair
March 19–22 | outsiderartfair.com
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
Returning to the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea, the Outsider Art Fair features 68 exhibitors from the U.S. and worldwide, including nonprofits and studios showcasing artists without formal art training. This year’s highlight is From the North, an exhibition of works by Inuit artists, featuring Cape Dorset graphic and textile artist Kenojuak Ashevak. Additionally, a silent auction will raise funds for the nonprofit God’s Love We Deliver, established in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis.
New York International Antiquarian Book Fair
April 30–May 3 | nyantiquarianbookfair.com
Park Ave Armory, 643 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair opens this spring at the Park Avenue Armory, featuring 170 exhibitors. Highlights include a $50,000 copy of Jean Henri Latude’s memoirs signed by Thomas Jefferson, a unique fencing book gifted to King Louis XIV’s relative, and a $27,500 signed copy of Fahrenheit 451. The fair’s 66th edition will also host panels with contemporary writers, including Eve Babitz biographer Lili Anolik, organized by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America.
IFPDA Print Fair
April 9–12 | fineartprintfair.org
Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
This April, the International Fine Prints & Drawings Association (IFPDA) launches its rebrand by including drawing dealers for the first time at this traditionally print-focused event. Notable exhibitors among the 80 include Cristea Roberts Gallery with Paula Rego’s abortion etchings, David Zwirner with new artist Louis Fratino, and Burnet Editions with Fratino’s self-portrait etchings, alongside Louise Bourgeois’s spiral woodcuts via Caroline Nitsch.
Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair
April 9–12 | powerhousearts.org
Powerhouse Arts, 322 3rd Avenue, Gowanus, Brooklyn
After a successful debut last year, the Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair, the borough’s first dedicated to fine art printmaking, returns for its second year at Powerhouse Arts. The fair uniquely combines gallery exhibitors with self-representing artists and academic printmaking departments from institutions like the New School, Hunter College, and FIT. Events include monotyping workshops, film screenings, a talk with Glenn Ligon, and a Japanese woodcut demonstration by Takuji Hamanaka.
The Other Art Fair
April 16–19 | theotherartfair.com
Agger Fish (Building 269), 299 Sands Street, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn
The 17th edition of the Other Art Fair, organized by Saatchi Art, offers a fresh alternative to traditional galleries with 115 independently represented artists. Under the theme “Nostalgia Core,” the fair emphasizes works that invoke childhood memories and reflections on the past.
The Photography Show
April 22–26 | aipad.com
Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
The 45th Photography Show, organized by the Association of International Photography Art Dealers, will showcase groundbreaking and historically important photography on the Upper East Side. A new segment, Focal Point, will highlight contemporary lens-based work identified by dealers as pushing the boundaries of the medium, featuring artists like Nino Miglori, Ray Mortenson, and Yi Hsuan Lai.
Conductor
April 29–May 3 | powerhousearts.org
Powerhouse Arts, 322 3rd Avenue, Gowanus, Brooklyn
Following a well-received soft launch, Conductor officially debuts as a fair celebrating artists and dealers from the Global Majority. Featuring 27 galleries from Latin America, Africa, Asia, Indigenous Nations, and more, this spring event will highlight works by several artists participating in the 2026 Venice Biennale, including Annalee Davis and Tammy Nguyen.
Clio Art Fair
May 7-10; May 14-17 | clioartfair.com
511 West 25th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
This May, Clio Art Fair will host two editions over six days, spotlighting independent artists. The fair, which has expanded its format since last year, focuses on artists without exclusive gallery representation in New York City. Named after a Greek term meaning “to celebrate” or “to make famous,” the event features art priced between $250 and $40,000, with artists present at their booths.
Black Zine Fair
May 9 | Instagram: @blackzinefair
Powerhouse Arts, 322 3rd Avenue, Gowanus, Brooklyn
Open to the public, the Black Zine Fair, now in its third year, celebrates radical Black publishing with 100 Black artists, presses, and writers. Highlights include the Black Reading Room, curated by artist and educator Kameelah Janan Rasheed, showcasing archival materials. Visitors can also participate in zine-making workshops and discussions. This year’s event, organized by Sojourners for Justice Press, is supported by $20,050 in community donations.
Salon Zürcher: 100 Women of Spirit +Part 4
May 11–17 | galeriezurcher.com
Zürcher Gallery, 33 Bleecker Street, East Village, Manhattan
Now in its 34th edition, Zürcher Gallery’s semi-annual satellite fair features 11 female artists. The event draws inspiration from the French term femme d’esprit, alluding to intellectual and clever women. This spring’s lineup includes abstract works by Deborah Freedman and stained glass pieces by Ellen Mandelbaum.
ESTHER III
May 12–16 | esther.ee
Estonian House, 243 E 34th Street, Murray Hill, Manhattan
Returning to the Beaux-Arts Estonian House in Manhattan, the third edition of the Baltic-focused Esther art fair features 25 galleries from Europe, Asia, and the U.S. The fair showcases smaller-scale works in an exclusive club setting for Estonians. Participants include artists Max Keene, Jill Goldstein, Laurel Gitlen, Katja Novitskova, and Olivia Jia.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
May 14–17 | 1-54.com
Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 W 26th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
Celebrating its 13th year, the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea. Founded by Touria El Glaoui, the fair is dedicated to African art and its diaspora, featuring 30 exhibitors from 17 countries. Visitors can explore galleries representing artists from across the African continent and local artists with diaspora roots.
NADA
May 13–17 | newartdealers.org
Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 W 26th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
Celebrating its 12th anniversary, the New Art Dealers’ Alliance (NADA) fair features over 110 exhibitors from 46 cities worldwide. Known for its vibrant community of small to mid-sized contemporary galleries, NADA welcomes 51 new participants this year, including Brigitte Mulholland (Paris), The Address (Brescia), and Forgotten Lands (Christiansted). Highlights include Ryan Browning’s paintings and sculptures at ADA Gallery and Kristen Giorgi’s artworks at Spaceless Gallery.
Frieze
May 13–17 | frieze.com
The Shed, 545 W 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
As the centerpiece of New York’s spring art fair season, Frieze presents a dynamic array of Instagram-worthy kinetic art and expansive abstract paintings. The event also features unexpected moments, like a martini olive rolling on The Shed’s escalators. Each floor houses a maze of booths from major galleries and mid-market dealers, with a focus on Central and South American exhibitors. Highlights include newcomers W-galería from Buenos Aires showcasing Seba Calfuqueo and Mexico City’s Campeche presenting Abraham González Pacheco. The Focus section, curated by Lumi Tan, spotlights galleries 12 years old and younger, often offering some of the most exciting displays.
Future Art Fair
May 13–16 | futurefairs.com
Chelsea Industrial, 535-551 W 28th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
Marking its sixth year, Future Art Fair continues to make an impact with its Pay-It-Forward model, reinvesting 15% of annual profits into grants for select galleries. This year, over half of the 68 participants are New York City galleries, alongside dealers from Nashville, Newburgh, Seattle, and Seoul. While painting dominates the fair, attendees can find inventive wall hangings, vibrant stoneware, and thoughtfully curated booths.
Fridge Art Fair
May 13–17 | fridgeartfair.com
Hotel Alameda/Highline Bar and Lobby, 518 W 27th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
Now in its 13th year, Fridge Art Fair focuses on Dolly Parton, embracing joy and playfulness. Founder Eric Ginsburg notes that the event draws inspiration from Parton’s persona and philanthropy. While the theme is loosely interpreted, expect a few impersonators on site. Remember, this event is BYOD (Bring Your Own Dog)!
Independent Art Fair
May 14–17 | independenthq.com
Pier 36, 299 South Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
The Independent Art Fair explores “dystopia” as its central theme, reflecting global anxieties. It features works by Gretchen Bender highlighting media skepticism, Ian Davis’s reflections on societal failures, and Taina Cruz’s exploration of Black womanhood. With over half of the exhibitors new to Independent, the fair continues to support emerging talent.
TEFAF New York
May 15–19 | tefaf.com
Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) in New York features 88 exhibitors offering a curated selection of high material culture spanning seven millennia, including jewelry, fine art, antiquities, and design. This event attracts collectors, connoisseurs, and history enthusiasts eager to blend historical and contemporary art.
Focus Art Fair
May 21–24 | focusartfair.net
Chelsea Industrial, 535-551 W 28th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
Focus Art Fair centers on contemporary Asian art, exploring the theme of “Human-Technology Coexistence.” The fair is divided into sections that showcase emergent art celebrating the continent’s diversity. One section highlights artists integrating generative AI into daily life, while another emphasizes process over product, referencing various studio environments.
