How to Navigate Spring Art Fairs in NYC

Damien Hirst, Provocative, 2013, Glass, painted stainless steel, steel, painted aluminum and painted zamac pills, estimated at $1m or above, Courtesy of White Cube Gallery, Frieze New York, 2025

If you are like me, well, then you love art! That said, there are a growing number of art fairs that fall upon New York City starting as early as May 6 and concluding Sunday, May 11, 2025. I’ve been invited to Frieze, Independent, NADA, TEFAF, Future Fair, Spring Break, Esther II, 1-54 Contemporary African Art, and The Other Art Fair. Isn’t that a mouthful? I mean, how is someone supposed to navigate these fairs? They all are showing various artists and a slew of galleries from all over the world. In New York where so much is happening all the time, we must learn how to pick and choose events that are either the most enjoyable or the most productive. Time is precious and while it would be great to visit all of the fairs, realistically that is not always possible. I’m going to break them down for you one by one and give my thoughts, albeit brief, so that you, dear art lover, can choose wisely. I will also mention general entry ticket prices. Art writers on assignment typically enter the fair with press entrance, but ticket prices can be inhibiting. In my opinion arts fairs should offer a window for people who fall within a lower income status, opening their venues to marginalized folks. The main function of an art fair is to sell art. Yet, they can be also a tremendous resource and tool for students and others alike to gain a larger perspective on the contemporary art scene of the moment.

So what is the best way to navigate an art fair? My advice is to go to what you can, and don’t be afraid to look without shopping. Ask questions about the art and prices. These spaces can feel quite exclusionary but are more approachable than one might think…and if someone ignores you, ask again. There is a lot of visual input, so I recommend establishing a timeframe as to not burn out. I used to walk the fair aisles for 8 hours (seriously) and now try to limit myself to 2 1/2 or 3 hours. Part of this is that I can look quicker now, and also navigate the space pinpointing what I like or find important in a more efficient way. Also, ask about student and New York resident discounts. When in doubt, there is no harm in asking, the worst thing you will hear is ‘no’. Lastly, have fun, look at art, the other fair goers, and revel in these brief periods of time where nothing else seems important.

Alice Neel, John Cheim, 1979, Oil on canvas, estimated $1m or above, Courtesy of Victoria Miro, Frieze New York,

Frieze New York: Perhaps the creme de la creme of art fairs, (at least until Art Basel), Frieze Art Fair takes place at The Shed. Spread over 3 floors this fair attracts the biggest galleries with the biggest budgets. Often the galleries who receive the most attention are blue-chip, showing some of the top earning artists in the world such as Jeff Koons and Yayoi Kusama. While the artwork may only be truly available to a small selection, the environment is always buzzing with energy and functions as both a global viewing and social landscape.

Note All tickets for Frieze New York are sold out

Frieze: entry First Preview $200.00, First Access $155.00, Preview $124.00, Weekend General admission before 3PM $90.00, General admission $75.00, Student $36.00, Child (2-12 years) $10.00

Nicole Economides, Illusion of home, as a memory (Η κουζίνα του μαγαζιού / The kitchen of the restaurant), 2022, Courtesy of Callirrhoë, Athens, Independent New York, 2025

Independent Art Fair: Founded by former galleries Elizabeth Dee and current director of White Columns Matthew Higgs, Independent is much smaller than Frieze, but attracts a global contingent of galleries and is tightly curated. Independent has consistently brought, or accepted, galleries who largely show painting, with an occasionally highlighted, freestanding sculpture. The cost of the booths will not be as high as those in Frieze, but for a mid-tier experience, Independent has been a favorite of mine for years, as it not only highlights New York based galleries, but often European galleries that I don’t get to visit often, or ever!

Independent: entry Vernissage $120.00, Multi-day $75.00, Single day $45.00

Melissa Ríos, “Please don’t stop me,” 2025, $13,000, Courtesy of JO-HS Gallery Mexico City & New York, NADA, 2025

NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance): NADA was founded by Heather Hobbs who is still at the helm. What I love about NADA is their focus on not only established galleries and younger, more alternative spaces. Usually, when attending NADA, I like looking for galleries that I know, but also am on a hunt for galleries that are either new to the contemporary landscape, the fair, or just new to my radar. While I know that sales can be very hit or miss, I think that is really across the board and while exposure is guaranteed, sales are not.

NADA: Single-Day ticket $55.00, Multi-day ticket $75.00, Vernissage $150.00, Senior and Student $35.00

Maya Perry, It’s been a while since I’ve felt this tender, 2025
Oil on panel 11 x 14 in, Courtesy of Rain Rain, New York, NADA, 2025

Alexander Calder, Untitled (Maquette for Eppur si Muove), 1965 (secondary market with provenance list), Courtesy of Mennour Gallery and Frieze, 2025

TEFAF started in Maastricht and takes place in New York at the Park Avenue Armory. TEFAF almost combines the aesthetics of Frieze and Independent, but is often a bit more visually minimal. What that means is that there are high-end galleries showing high-earning artists, but TEFAF tends to focus on different art movements beyond a contemporary focus, more-so than the others. TEFAF is likely to have ornate, baroque sculptures alongside contemporary and even Renaissance paintings.

TEFAF: Adult single entry $60.00, Adult Multi-day entry $80.00, Student $25.00

Carlos Rodriguez, Los Durmientes del Desierto, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Hashimoto Contemporary, New York and San Francisco, Future Fair, 2025

Future Fair is one of the youngest New York Art Fairs. Celebrating five years in 2025, Future Fair was founded by Rachel Mijares Fick and Rebeca Laliberte who are working diligently to expand the landscape of contemporary art. They cater to a young, mid-tier collector base and have introduced many galleries (even New York based) that I hadn’t seen in other fairs previously. The median age of visitors usually seems to be between 30 and 40 , a mix of artists, collectors, and art curious. I’m looking forward to witnessing how they evolve.

Future Fair: entry off-peak $35.00, General admission $39.00, VIP Preview admission $200.00

Christl Stringer, Coastal Elite, 2025, oil and oil pastel on canvas, $1500, Courtesy of the artist, Spring Break, 2025

SPRING/BREAK Art Show: SPRING/BREAK is a fair for artists, by artists. The fair was founded Andrew Gore and Ambre Kelly in 2009 and has taken place is several different alternatives venues (office spaces, the former post office behind Penn Station) and now at 75 Varick Street. Like Future Fair, SPRING/BREAK attracts artists and collectors alike and is one of my favorite fairs. The price point can vary and it’s often possible to find artworks for as low as $100 and up to $15,000, give or take. The works that are on view are in booths that are curated by artists or curators (or artist curators) who have applied and been accepted. This means that they don’t always need to have gallery representation or a gallery at all. Advisors and art consultants have booths, artists and their friends get together and show their own work, and galleries who are in between venues take advantage of the fair and it’s exposure opportunities to a large and versatile audience. Like NADA, I know that sales can be intermittent, but if one is willing to take a chance and show art in an alternative venue outside of the traditional norm, SPRING/BREAK is a hit and not to be missed in person, but also has an incredible infrastructure for those unable to attend the fair but who want to acquire art online.

SPRING/BREAK Art Show: entry $41.54

Kim Farkas, 23-05, 2023, Custom composites (installation view), PETG, LED, electronics 43, Courtesy of Tara Downs, Esther II, 2025

Esther II: Esther was inaugurated in 2024 at the Estonia House in Midtown, New York. Coming back to grace us with a second iteration, the fair is a breath of fresh air for several reasons. The first is that like Spring Break, it takes us off the beaten fair path. Secondly, the artists selected and the galleries they work with, often show only 1 or 2 pieces and these are not in traditional “booths” but rather in sections marked with wall labels. Last year it was a bit confusing at times differentiating between which work belonged to which gallery, but the overall energy of the space (and cafe offering Estonian coffee and pastries) is top notch and a highlight for me. Galleries to look out for include Margot Samel (New York), Tara Downs (New York), Kim? Gallery (Riga), and sentiment (Zürich).

Esther II: entry FREE

Thandiwe Muriu, Prophetess Mama, 2025, Photography - Jet Ink Print of FineArt RAG+ MATT 310g, 150 x 100 cm. Courtesy of the Artist & 193 Gallery, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, 2025

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair: Of all the New York art fairs happening this week, 1-54 might be the most important. As the name alludes, it focuses on contemporary African art and art of the Diaspora which includes Caribbean nations and territories. Founded by Touria El Glaoui it is the only art fair with a focus on Africa. As with some of the other fairs mentioned above, they shine a light on galleries and artists who may be lesser known or underrepresented. In previous years, I’ve met artists representing themselves, while also being exposed to smaller galleries who would otherwise not have a presence in New York City or to a New York City audience.

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair: entry $38.00 / $25.00 student, disabled, senior

Bella Wattles, Chard & Lemon Painting, oil on canvas, $2045, United States, Courtesy of the artist and The Other Art Fair, 2025

The Other Art Fair: Truth be told, I’ve only been to The Other Art Fair once, in 2022. I was working with a company called Curina who was interested in working with artists and galleries, in a similar fashion as Artsy (they’ve since shifted gears as it’s a difficult landscape to enter let alone compete with). I went to the fair before even realizing that it was only artists and that galleries didn’t have an active presence. That said, I had a great time. It was rewarding to see artists take the bull by the horns regarding their own work regardless of their relationship with galleries. The quality of work can be very hit or miss and some of the work isn’t up to par in my opinion for someone who frequents the gallery and museum world as much as I do, but there are gems in the rough. It was at The Other Fair where I came across Jen DeLuna whose work was recently presented on Platform.com (a David Zwirner initiative), Storage, and a solo presentation at LaiSun Keane. I honestly think that The Other Art Fair is the best from this list for a brand new collector or collector curious.

The Other Art Fair Brooklyn: entry $54.39 ($45.00 + $9.39 fees)