Frieze New York (7-11 May) opens its 13th edition at The Shed with around 65 galleries, including mega-galleries Gagosian, David Zwirner, Hauser & Wirth, Pace, and White Cube. The fair arrives amid a turbulent art market: global art sales declined 12% in 2024 per Clare McAndrew's Art Market Report, and President Trump's tariff decisions have roiled the stock market. Frieze's owner Endeavor recently sold the fair to a new company founded by former CEO Ari Emanuel. Despite this, US fair director Christine Messineo expresses optimism, citing strong sales at Frieze Los Angeles in February. The Focus section features 12 emerging galleries, seven of which are first-time participants, including King's Leap, Management, Voloshyn Gallery (Kyiv), and Public Gallery (London).
This edition matters because it tests the resilience of the US art fair model amid economic headwinds and market contraction. Frieze New York's stability—maintaining its gallery count for five consecutive years—signals that major dealers still commit to the fair even as the broader market cools. The separation between Frieze New York and The Armory Show (both now owned by Frieze) suggests a deliberate strategy to serve different segments of the market. The Focus section's international emerging galleries also highlight how New York remains a crucial gateway for artists seeking US market entry, despite geopolitical and economic uncertainty.