Independent 2026 Exhibitor List Announced

independent 2026 exhibitor list 1234776856

Independent has unveiled the exhibitor list for its 17th edition, scheduled for May 14–17, 2026. The fair is relocating to a new venue at Pier 36 in New York’s Lower East Side and will feature 76 exhibitors showcasing over 100 artists. Notably, more than 70 percent of the booths will be dedicated to solo presentations, including a special solo project by Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons and sculptural installations by Gretchen Bender and Francis Upritchard.

New York’s Independent fair reveals 76 exhibitors for first edition at Pier 36

The Independent art fair has announced the exhibitor list for its 17th edition, scheduled for May 14–17 in New York. The fair is moving to a new, larger venue at Pier 36 on the East River, featuring a redesigned exterior by architecture firm SO–IL. This year’s edition includes 76 exhibitors, nearly half of whom are first-timers, and introduces "Independent Debuts," a curatorial initiative focused on solo presentations by artists making their New York debut.

henry street settlement independent art fair 1234756130

The Henry Street Settlement, a nonprofit social-service organization on New York's Lower East Side, lost its primary annual fundraiser when the Art Dealers Association of America canceled The Art Show in July 2025. After months of uncertainty, Henry Street has partnered with Independent, the art fair that recently relocated to Pier 36, to host its 37th gala preview on May 14, 2026. The collaboration was brokered by art dealer James Fuentes, a Henry Street board member and longtime Lower East Side gallerist. The gala had raised over $38 million since 1989, and the cancellation left a budget gap that forced the organization to launch a virtual campaign raising only $600,000—half the usual amount—while federal cuts compounded the financial strain.

henry street settlement independent art fair 1234756130

The Henry Street Settlement, a nonprofit social-service organization on New York's Lower East Side, lost its primary annual fundraiser when the Art Dealers Association of America canceled The Art Show this summer after nearly four decades. In response, Henry Street has partnered with the Independent art fair for its 2026 gala, moving the event from the Park Avenue Armory to Independent's new location on Pier 36. The collaboration was brokered by art dealer James Fuentes, a Henry Street board member, and aims to restore critical funding that supports food programs, job placement, and free arts classes for low-income residents.

Artexpo New York Returns to Pier 36 for 49th Annual Showcase

Artexpo New York has returned to Pier 36 for its 49th annual edition, featuring over 70,000 square feet of exhibition space. Hosted by Redwood Art Group, the fair showcases a diverse range of media from more than 20 countries, divided into the main Artexpo Pavilion for established galleries and the [SOLO] Pavilion for independent artists. The 2026 program includes interactive Art Labs, the affordable Discoveries Collection, and the prestigious Spotlight Program, which honors six selected artists and galleries.

Fair behemoths bet on Gulf plus new, bigger venues for Independent—a quick look at art fairs in 2026

Art Basel and Frieze are both launching new fairs in the Arabian Gulf in 2026: Art Basel Qatar in Doha (5-7 February) and Frieze Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi (17-22 November). Art Basel Qatar will feature 87 galleries with solo artist presentations on the theme 'Becoming,' curated by artistic director Wael Shawky, with major dealers like Gagosian and David Zwirner participating. Frieze Abu Dhabi takes over the existing Abu Dhabi Art fair, with Dyala Nusseibeh remaining as director and Deutsche Bank as sponsor. Meanwhile, Independent's two New York fairs are moving to larger venues: the contemporary edition to Pier 36 on the East River in May, and Independent 20th Century to Sotheby's Breuer building in September. Art Cologne is also reviving its Mallorca edition at the Palau de Congressos in Palma.

Independent 20th Century fair will move to Sotheby’s Breuer Building in 2026

The Independent 20th Century art fair will move to the Breuer Building in New York, soon to become Sotheby’s headquarters, for its 2026 edition running September 24–27. The fair, previously held at Casa Cipriani, will expand to accommodate over 50 galleries. Sotheby’s acquired the landmarked building in 2023 and has made subtle renovations led by Herzog & de Meuron, with the new headquarters opening November 8.

New York's Art on Paper fair draws a fuzzy line between its titular medium and everything else

The Art on Paper fair has returned to Pier 36 in Lower Manhattan for its 11th edition, featuring 81 exhibitors from around the world. The fair, organized by Art Market Productions (a division of a21), includes a VIP preview on September 4 and a full program of interactive events and workshops, including the return of Booksmart Fair in partnership with the Center for Book Arts. Standouts include Nina Katchadourian's plant-like sculptures at Pace Gallery, Mary Beth Edelson's Story Gathering Boxes at Accola Griefen Fine Art, and Nicolas V. Sanchez's hyperrealistic ballpoint pen sketchbook drawings. Some exhibitors push the boundaries of the paper medium by showing paintings, ceramics, and other non-paper items, prompting one visitor to ask, "Where's the paper stuff?"