During New York Art Week, two smaller art fairs—Esther II and Conductor—offer alternatives to the major events like Frieze and TEFAF. Esther II, now in its second edition, takes place at the Estonian House in Murray Hill, featuring 25 galleries from 17 cities with site-specific installations and performances. Conductor debuts at Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus, focusing on artists from the Global South and its diasporas, with a unique model that allows artists to fabricate work on-site using the venue's production facilities.
These fairs matter because they provide a more intimate, curated experience for collectors and visitors, highlighting emerging and international galleries that might be overlooked at larger, blue-chip events. Esther II's scrappy, hotel-fair style and Conductor's emphasis on reducing shipping costs and enabling new commissions represent innovative approaches that could influence how smaller fairs operate in the future, broadening access and supporting diverse artistic voices.