NADA is cancelling its annual New York Art Fair in 2019, the organization announced this week. Typically held during Armory Art Show Week in March, NADA (The New Art Dealers Alliance) had decided instead to direct their efforts to drive traffic and attention to member gallery exhibitions and programming during the busy March Art Fair Week in New York.
The decision comes after extensive conversation with members, and a vote by the organization’s Board of Directors, according to NADA. The 16th edition NADA Miami Beach Art Fair will be held in December 2018 as expected. NADA Miami Beach returns to Ice Palace Studios for its seventh edition, which will be held December 6 to 9, 2018.
“This gives NADA the time to develop and deploy new initiatives that will best serve our members as their needs continue to shift and evolve,” stated Heather Hubbs, Executive Director of NADA. “Producing alternative models for the public to engage with contemporary art has always been central to NADA’s mission, and the combination of NADA Miami and directing focus towards the galleries and their exhibition programs will make for a more dynamic season.”
Elyse Derosia, NADA Board President and co-founder of Bodega, stated, “This shift back to the galleries and, subsequently, the artists is both exciting and crucially timed. It’s vital for us to think critically about the where, when, and how of fairs, in a moment so saturated with them. I’m really excited by NADA and its member galleries’ pursuit of innovative methods of exhibition and engagement.”
The decision to cancel its 2019 art fair in New York follows on the heels of NADA presenting its first exhibition as an organization. NADA opened "Close Quarters" at Governors Island in New York in July 2018. The group show featured art presented by eight gallery members who included CANADA, False Flag, Kai Matsumiya, SAFE Gallery, SITUATIONS, Signal, Proyectos Ultravioleta and Jack Hanley Gallery. It was NADA's first non-art fair exhibition, according to a Governors Island announcement.
"Close Quarters" is a sign of NADA's future efforts--presenting group shows in intimate and unusual setting--and the group is currently exploring new partnerships for exhibiting art in New York and beyond. NADA also plans to open a gallery space to host exhibitions from members based outside of New York City.
“I’m proud of NADA for its dynamic leadership in support of galleries," stated Photios Giovanis, NADA Board Member and owner of Callicoon Fine Arts. "With its latest announcement, NADA chooses to hone its resources on the entities that form its membership base: galleries. Exhibitions remain the tried-and-true method for the presentation of the work of artists, and the core of our work as gallerists. I congratulate the organization on this decision, and look forward to the coming years of innovation."
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"Close Quarters" by Fabienne Lasserre exhibited by SAFE Gallery at Governers Island. Courtesy NADA.
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The New Art Dealers Association's mission is to cultivate, support and advance new voices in contemporary art. NADA members are an international alliance of art professionals that include museums and galleries. Click here for the current list.
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