Since joining Affordable Art Fair New York City (NYC) as Fair Director in 2022, I’ve had the privilege of leading a mission that has been close to my heart, making contemporary art approachable and discoverable. After nearly a decade in the auction and blue-chip gallery world, I wanted to create an environment where collectors could connect with art in a welcoming and transparent way. Each edition of Affordable Art Fair NYC reflects that goal, and this September 17–21, we’re excited to welcome visitors to our new home in the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea.

Why We Moved

Relocating the fair was a decision we made with galleries and collectors in mind. Our previous venue was wonderful, but we wanted to provide more space for exhibitors to show additional works at accessible price points and to offer collectors an even broader selection of artwork to explore. The Starrett-Lehigh Building allows us to expand gallery presentations, accommodate more visitors comfortably, and create a layout that encourages discovery and engagement.

Discover Art

This September, 85 exhibitors will showcase work by over 450 living artists, presenting thousands of artworks priced between $100 and $12,000. Our galleries always bring artists whose achievements may surprise you for the price point of their work.

For example, Peter Peereboom of ART_020, a Dutch artist who has lived in Paris for over 35 years, recently had a solo exhibition at Centre Pompidou. Mauricio Morillas from ARTMIX has had nine of his works recently acquired by Delta Airlines for their Atlanta Sky Club Lounge. Glen Wexler, showing with Fabrik Projects, is a photographic artist whose surreal, cinematic work is part of major collections including LACMA, the George Eastman Museum, and the Palm Springs Art Museum.

We’re also thrilled to present artists whose stories add such richness to the fair. Aimee Hofmann, represented by Local Canvas, navigates life as an artist with a disability and was recently featured in a 2024 Burke Rehabilitation Gala documentary. Marisa Mu of TITS & CO. made history as the first Australian and Queer Woman of Color to present a major exhibition at Gracie Mansion during PRIDE 2025.

At Tourné Gallery, both Madalena Negrone and Llanor Alleyne have had works enter major collections – Negrone’s Origine was acquired by the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, while Alleyne’s Another Poem is now part of the Leslie-Lohman Museum in New York. Philip Greenberg of Upstream Gallery is an award-winning New York Times photographer whose work is in the 9/11 Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, and SF MOMA.

And finally, Pham Luan, represented by Vietnamese Contemporary Fine Art, is the first Asian artist to have a painting in the New York Historical Society, with additional works held in Vietnam’s National Assembly House and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. And this is just a few to showcase the caliber of artists we bring to NYC each year. We’re so excited to offer our galleries the chance to present these artists in a new venue as well.

Supporting Emerging Galleries and First Time Collectors

One of the most rewarding aspects of running Affordable Art Fair NYC is seeing new collectors discover the joy of acquiring art. At recent editions, over 77% of exhibitor sales went to clients who were new to that gallery, demonstrating how the fair helps galleries expand their collector base while welcoming those engaging with art in new ways.

To support emerging galleries, I launched our Fellowship Program, which provides resources and guidance to connect new and smaller galleries with collectors. This initiative, along with partnerships with organizations like Cohart, Arts Gowanus, Artplacer, CITYarts, Materials for the Arts, and FIT, allows us to create programming that is both educational and engaging – from hands-on workshops to tools that help visitors visualize art in their own spaces.

Responding to the Collector Market

The art market is evolving. Galleries are increasingly focused on expanding audience reach and cultivating sustainable collector relationships, while collectors are looking for transparency, meaningful engagement, and work that resonates aesthetically and culturally.

Affordable Art Fair NYC is designed to meet these needs. 65% of our visitors report purchasing art at least every 1-2 years, and many are collecting for the first time. By keeping pricing clear, curating thoughtfully, and creating an inviting environment, we ensure that both new and experienced collectors feel confident participating in the market.

Growing Beyond New York

Although Affordable Art Fair is an international brand with fairs in 15 cities worldwide, each edition is shaped by its local audience. In New York, more than 75% of visitors live within the five boroughs, making local relevance a priority.

In 2025, we’re also expanding our Northeast team and launching Affordable Art Fair Boston in October and this past May, the second edition of Affordable Art Fair Austin demonstrated that our model – community-focused, collector-driven, and accessible – resonates in multiple U.S. markets.

Looking Ahead

Moving the NYC fair deeper into Chelsea represents more than just a change of address. It is a strategic decision to provide galleries with more space, collectors with more opportunities to discover work and generate accessibility in the contemporary art market. Personally, it is deeply rewarding to see these choices come to life in a venue that supports our vision as a brand and enhances the collector experience.

ABOUT AFFORDABLE ART FAIR NEW YORK FALL

When you visit Affordable Art Fair New York Fall you’ll find an inspiring and friendly atmosphere where you can browse thousands of original contemporary paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints showcased by a myriad of local, national and international exhibitors.

Liz Collins | The Giardini

James Lee Byars and Seung Taek Lee – Invisible Questions that Fill the Air

 The Arsenale

Mataaho Collective | The Arsenale

The Giardini – The 60th International Art Exhibition

It’s a pleasant stroll or a quick Vaporetto ride to reach this charming garden, which has been transformed into an immersive international art exhibit. Whether you choose to walk or ride, be sure to experience this unique and captivating space.

With 30 international pavilions plus the Central Pavilion to explore, be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit. Many exhibitions are experiential, inviting you to fully immerse yourself in the artists’ creations. As you wander, keep the theme Foreigners Everywhere in mind, and observe the diverse interpretations and expressions of this concept throughout the exhibits.

US Pavilion – Jeffrey Gibson: The Space in Which to Place Me

Curators: Kathleen Ash-Milby, Abigail Winograd
Exhibitor: Jeffrey Gibson

German Pavilion – Thresholds

Curator: Çağla Ilk
Exhibitors: Yael Bartana, Ersan Mondtag, Michael Akstaller, Nicole L’Huillier, Robert Lippok, Jan St. Werner

Hungary Pavilion – Techno Zen

Curator: Róna Kopeczky
Exhibitor: Márton Nemes

Polish Pavilion – Repeat After Me II

Curator: Marta Czyż
Exhibitors: Open Group (Yuriy Biley, Pavlo Kovach, Anton Varga)
Repeat after Me II is a collective portrait of witnesses of the war in Ukraine.

The Arsenale

April 20 – November 24
Theme: Foreigners Everywhere

This incredible venue is a labyrinth of art, featuring exhibitions from 24 different countries. Once again, the theme Foreigners Everywhere is explored through a myriad of unique interpretations and creative expressions.

South African Pavilion – Quiet Ground

Curator: Portia Malatjie
Exhibitors: MADEYOULOOK (Molemo Moiloa & Nare Mokgotho)

Saudi Arabia Pavilion – Shifting Sands: A Battle Song

Curators: Jessica Cerasi, Maya El Khalil
Exhibitor: Manal AlDowayan

Lucky you! More time in Venice is always wonderful. Make sure to explore these additional captivating shows:

Punta Della Dogana
Pierre Huyghe – liminal

Pierre Huyghe has since long questioned the relation between the human and the non-human, and conceives his works as speculative fictions from which emerge other modalities of world. Wander through this dynamic, sensitive milieu that is perpetually evolving. The exhibition is a transitory state inhabited by human and non-human creatures and becomes the site of formation of subjectivities that are constantly learning, changing, and hybridizing. You’ll be confronted by completely original video installations that will make you ponder long after you’ve left.

Museo Fortuny
Eva Jospin – Selva

This exhibit begins quietly and builds to a stunning conclusion. The humble materials and consummate craftsmanship are a wonder. The artworks engage deeply with both the historical and environmental context of their setting—the ancient Palazzo Pesaro. They also interact with the museum’s collections, particularly the diverse and rich artistic works of Mariano Fortuny, uncovering unexpected and sometimes surprising aesthetic and methodological connections.
Truly a must-see.

Museo Correr
Francesco Vezzoli – Museum of Tears

Vezzoli juxtaposes his works—both historical and contemporary, including new pieces created specifically for this exhibition—with the masterpieces of the Museo Correr collection. His goal is to foster a dialogue and create a new narrative where art history is reimagined as a living, dynamic entity. By blending themes and iconographies, especially religious ones, from different eras, he explores concepts such as identity, authorship, emotion, and the relationship with the past without denying or erasing it. While the exhibit is quite site specific, the contrast between Vezzoli’s modern conceptual works and traditional Venetian art offers intriguing visual comparisons and prompts thoughtful questions.

Gallerie dell’Accademia
Willem De Kooning L’Italia

Willem de Kooning, one of the most revolutionary and influential artists of the 20th century, is the focus of a highly anticipated major exhibition. This show explores the profound impact Italy had on De Kooning’s work, highlighting how Italian art and culture shaped his innovative approach.

Palazzo Loredan
James Lee Byars and Seung Taek Lee – Invisible Questions that Fill the Air

The exhibition spans over six decades of work, solidifying both Byars’ and Lee’s roles as pivotal figures in 20th and 21st-century avant-garde art. The display features stunning compositions that highlight the interplay between the art and the architecture, with intriguing juxtapositions arising from the coexistence of both artists’ works in the same space.

Palazzo Franchetti
Your Ghosts Are Mine

The palazzo is filled with stunning and haunting videos in this original exhibition produced by Qatar Museums. The moving images delve into contemporary themes of community life, memory, transnational crossings, and exile. These films stand apart from mainstream media and cultural industry norms, carving their own unique paths. They are deeply aware of their role as historical artifacts, particularly when they emerge from countries ravaged by conflict or lacking in preserved memorabilia.