Art For All: Affordable Art Fair NYC’s Fall 2025 Edition
Add to your art collection while learning about emerging galleries and artists at the New York fair this 17 to 21 September
For some, the art world might feel intimidating or even inaccessible. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the game, it’s normal to have some questions when acquiring a piece of art. What if you love art but simply don’t know where to start? How do you learn about artists and the galleries that sell their work? And does all art have to be so expensive?
The Affordable Art Fair, launched in London in 1999, proves that art can — and should — be accessible to all. By partnering with galleries that exhibit a wide range of artists’ works, over 640,000 affordable artworks have been sold since that original show. There’s now Affordable Art Fairs in 13 cities around the world, and New York’s fall 2025 edition is exhibiting works from 85 galleries at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea, an iconic (and huge) 90-plus-year-old building on Manhattan’s west side.
At the Affordable Art Fair NYC Fall 2025, exhibiting Wednesday, 17 September to Sunday, 21 September, attendees will have the opportunity to choose from thousands of paintings, photographs, sculptures and more. Over 450 artists — both established and up-and-comers — are exhibiting at this year’s fall edition, and since the works are priced from $100 to $12,000, there’s truly something for everyone (and everyone’s budget).
By connecting art collectors to galleries in one navigable setting, more artists and their works are being introduced to the public. Erin Schuppert, Fair Director, says that “galleries tell us they come to Affordable Art Fair to connect with new collectors and it’s no accident that about half our audience is discovering the fair for the first time each year. That mix of fresh eyes and returning collectors keeps the energy dynamic and helps galleries build lasting relationships.”
According to data from previous years’ fairs, 77% of art sales went to new clients. “I find it inspiring that we welcome anyone and everyone with an interest in art to our fairs,” Schuppert says. “That ethos can be rare in this industry, but there is no better high than seeing someone purchase their first work of art. Two-thirds of the thousands of works sold at our fairs are priced $3,000 or lower, so there are so many opportunities here to find art that speaks to you and falls within your budget.”
In addition to providing more space for 85 galleries to showcase over 450 artists’ works, moving to a bigger building also allows for other programming opportunities like Family Hours, hosted by The Babysitting Company, and special exhibitions from NYC-based nonprofits Arts Gowanus and CITYarts. The new venue space offers “a more contemporary setting that’s right in the heart of Chelsea,” Schuppert says.
2025 also marks the third year of the Affordable Art Fair Fellowship, a program Schuppert launched in 2022 to “provide opportunities for galleries who may not otherwise be able to participate in a fair,” she says. The Fellowship provides underwriting, mentorship and other resources to emerging NYC-based galleries for three editions in a row, which “allows them to gain art fair experience, refine presentation and sales strategies, and scale their business all in a risk-free environment. I could not love our Fall 2025 Fellows more: Harsh Collective and Warnes Contemporary are both founded by young women and showcase incredibly talented artists who truly deserve the spotlight,” Schuppert says.
The success of Affordable Art Fairs proves that the art industry is making measurable progress in the affordable art sector. “The fair truly does feel welcoming, and it breaks down the intimidation factor that can be so pervasive in the art world,” Schuppert says. “Collectors are increasingly seeking more comfortable price points, better pricing transparency and the thrill of discovering something new. While we evolve with trends and collector appetites on the art sales data we collect at each fair, our values of affordability and transparency are constant.”
The Affordable Art Fair NYC Fall 2025 Edition exhibits from 17 to 21 September, 2025, with general admission tickets starting at $30. The Affordable Art Fair NYC app, which allows for pre-fair browsing and AR-powered artwork viewing, is available via App Store and Google Play.
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