Art Dealers Association of America Cancels 2025 Edition of New York Fair

ADAA Fair 2026 12–16 November 2026

For the first time since 1988, the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) won’t be staging its annual fair in New York this October.

The Upper East Side mainstay has raised over $38 million (USD) for the social services non-profit Henry Street Settlement since its inception.

But in an email to its members last week, ADAA announced a ‘strategic pause’ for its 37th edition of The Art Show, set to return to Park Avenue Armory on 28 October with an opening night gala frequented by local patrons like Agnes Gund, Tom Hill, and the late Leonard Lauder.

‘While we understand this news may be disappointing, we believe this pause presents a meaningful opportunity to reimagine The Art Show with long-term sustainability and member value in mind,’ ADAA said, as reported by ARTnews.

The Henry Street Settlement, an organisation which provides social service, arts, and healthcare programmes to New Yorkers, called the cancellation of their ‘largest source of individual funding revenue’ ‘unexpected’ and are seeking support via an online campaign.

ADAA said the break will allow them to ‘evaluate how best to support [their] members, partners, and the broader arts community in an evolving cultural and market landscape’. They added that the fair will return next year ‘with a renewed vision’.

This shifting market recently saw respected American dealers like Tim Blum and Adam Lindemann shut their galleries, with Blum moving on to ‘a more flexible model’, citing the unsustainable demand of fairs, openings, and relentless expansion. 

Last year, The Art Show hosted around 75 exhibitors from its 200-plus members—including the likes of Pace, David Zwirner, and Karma, led by new director Kinsey Robb who introduced initiatives like a section spotlighting a single city and talks by non-profit curators.

Meanwhile, New York fair The Armory Show will aim to bring new energy to Javits Center from 5 to 7 September in its first edition led by Kyla McMillan, with 230 exhibitors scheduled, a new floor plan, spotlight on design, and focus on artists from the American South. —[O]