The Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) has cancelled the 37th edition of The Art Show, marking the first time in decades that the prestigious fair will not take place at New York’s Park Avenue Armory.
In an email to members sent last week, ADAA leadership described the decision as a “strategic pause” following “careful review” by the board, according to ARTnews. The fair had been scheduled to open with a benefit preview on October 28.
Reimagining for Long-Term Sustainability
“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,” the email stated, as reported by ARTnews. “It allows us to evaluate how best to support our members, partners, and the broader arts community in an evolving cultural and market landscape.”
The ADAA indicated that The Art Show will return in 2026 “with a renewed vision.” Exhibitors who submitted deposits will be contacted next week regarding reimbursement options, according to the organization’s communication.
Context of Market Uncertainty
The cancellation comes amid broader instability in the art world. Recent weeks have seen major American dealers Tim Blum and Adam Lindemann announce gallery closures, with Blum citing the current market state as unsustainable and expressing plans to move toward a “more flexible model.”
An ADAA spokesperson told Artsy that external factors influenced the decision: “As the landscape of arts funding continues to shift—with declining federal support, institutional layoffs, and the loss of critical grants—the ADAA is reflecting on how best to sustain its long-term commitment to the arts.”
The spokesperson emphasized that the cancellation “was not a response to financial pressure, nor was it a reflection of exhibitor interest,” but rather “a strategic step to realign the ADAA’s initiatives with our core mission,” according to Artsy.
Legacy and Impact
The Art Show, which began in 1988, has served as a cornerstone event for Upper East Side collectors and dealers. Its annual gala preview has raised more than $38 million for the Henry Street Settlement, a social services nonprofit, over three decades.
The ADAA has recently undergone leadership changes, with Kinsey Robb assuming the role of executive director after Maureen Bray’s departure in July 2024. Speaking to Artsy ahead of last year’s fair, Robb had highlighted the event’s community aspect: “One of the cool things about The Art Show is that there’s a coming together—a sense of pride for not just the high bar set by the membership, but also this sense you’re part of a group, you’re not an island.”
The fair’s absence in 2025 is likely to intensify ongoing concerns about market stability in the contemporary art world.
Cover Image: Installation view of The Art Show at the Park Avenue Armory, 2024. Photo by Scott Rudd Productions. Courtesy of ADAA.
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