The Affordable Art Fair returns to NYC with artwork for every budget

Art is at New Yorkers’ fingertips, from the world’s most famous and significant works housed in the hallowed halls of The Met, MoMA, and Guggenheim, to countless art galleries and exhibitions across the five boroughs. However, when it comes to building a personal collection, or even just owning one special piece, art becomes less accessible with prices soaring into the tens of thousands. But for the past 23 years, the Affordable Art Fair has been bringing one-of-a-kind art pieces to New Yorkers at a price range of $100 to $12,000. There’s even a curated installation called Wonders Under $1,000 marked by pink stickers. This year, the spring fair runs from March 19 to March 23 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea with 78 exhibitors and 400 contemporary living artists from all over the world.

“All artists presented at the Affordable Art Fair must be living, as a core value of the fair is to support the livelihood of working contemporary artists,” Erin Schuppert, director of the Affordable Art Fair, said.

To ensure the quality of work, a Selection Committee reviews each artist exhibited, Schuppert explained, looking for specific criteria: a clear creative identity, artistic integrity, an academic foundation or exhibition history, and “curatorial strength within our market
and the specific edition of the fair.”

New York City was the second city to ever host the fair in 2002; it started in 1999 in London when “10,000 art lovers descended upon the fair to browse and buy thousands of original contemporary paintings, sculptures, photographs, and prints in a relaxed and friendly environment,” as the Affordable Art Fair’s website states.

Now, the event is held in 13 cities worldwide: New York, London, Austin, Hong Kong, Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Brussels, Singapore, Stockholm, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and the two new cities this year — Boston and Vienna. (Can’t make the spring fair? It will be back in New York City again September 17-21)

Each night of the fair has its own vibe. Single-day tickets are $35 and an all-access pass is $85.

“Opening night is electric, a buzzy event with artworks flying off the walls,” Schuppert said. “Thursday evening is about community, as we partner with Materials for the Arts to accept art supply donations for New York City public schools. Friday night’s Art After Dark is all about interactivity and mingling. The weekend is always fun at the fair, but especially on Sunday during Family Hours, when we have activities for little art lovers.”

But the overarching goal is to bring art to the people — making it an approachable experience even for those who are not artworld connoisseurs.

“I’ve been working in this industry for a decade now and even I can feel intimidated walking into a large art fair,” Schuppert told 6sqft last year. “I think it’s important to have a friendly environment so people can have confidence in their own taste. Art can be enjoyed and collected by everyone.”

To make things even easier, most of the pieces can be brought home safely the day of, thanks to the on-site wrapping station.

Some trends Schuppert is seeing in art collection right now include: sustainability, ceramics and fiber art, “thoughtful maximalism” and personal connection. “In uncertain times, collectors are drawn to art that feels like home, prioritizing personal connections over investment potential,” she said in a press release.

A few artists to look out for from the Director of the Affordable Art Fair, Erin Schuppert:

Dominique Warren
“I am also loving the Crustacean Collection by Dominique Warren, represented by TAG Fine Arts. These still-life paintings of familiar seafood are intimate and even humorous.”

Standout piece: “Oysters in Fowey” $1,000

Katharine Morling
“A British artist exhibiting with DECORAZONgallery, (this artist) creates porcelain sculptures that she describes as ‘3D drawings.’ They are funky, bold, and playful, which feels delightfully at odds with the delicate medium.”

Standout piece: “Boom,” $5,500

Ma Ani
“Quebec-based artist Ma Ani, exhibiting with Artêria Gallery, paints fashionable figures with their faces often cropped out or obscured. There is a cinematic quality that makes the work feel retro yet slightly surreal.”

Standout piece: “The One in Berlin,” $2,085

See more picks from Schuppert here.

The Affordable Art Fair NYC Spring 2025 schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, March 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Thursday, March 20 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday, March 21 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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