Heather Hubbs, executive director of the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA), reflects on the organization's evolution from a grassroots initiative into an international coalition with over 250 gallery members and fairs in New York and Miami. The 12th edition of NADA New York returns to the Starrett-Lehigh Building from May 13–17, featuring more than 100 galleries and the return of the Curated Spotlight, organized by curator Anthony Elms in partnership with TD Bank. Hubbs discusses the fair's growth, its commitment to supporting galleries and artists year-round, and highlights 51 first-time exhibitors and experimental works by artists like Chang Sujung and Douglas Rieger.
This article matters because it underscores how NADA has become a vital, community-driven alternative to larger commercial art fairs, prioritizing gallery sustainability and artist support over extraction. Hubbs' two-decade tenure illustrates the fair's role in shaping the contemporary art market's mid-tier, fostering emerging talent and international connections. The interview also signals NADA's continued relevance as a platform for experimental and artist-run spaces, reinforcing its position as a mainstay in the art-world calendar.