Past edition New York, USA

NYC Art Week May 2026

May 11 – 19, 2026 12 events

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All 12 Fairs 7 Parties 2 Shows 2 Performances 1

Highlights

Fair

Frieze New York 2026 Private View

Wed, May 13 · 11:00 AM

The Shed

Performance

Body Configurations: Jonathan González at the Whitney Museum

Fri, May 15 · 6:00 PM

Whitney Museum of American Art

Thursday May 7

1 event

Fair · Day 1 of 4

Clio Art Fair 22nd Edition | May 7-10, 2026

12:00 PM · May 7 – 10

Clio Art Fair

Clio Art Fair, the leading independent art fair that champions self-represented artists, returns to Chelsea this spring with its 22nd Edition: May 7–10 2026. The edition will feature a completely new roster of 35+ international artists and artist collectives, offering collectors, curators, and the public a fresh and diverse experience and a provocative performance program. Clio Art Fair continues to break the mold of traditional art fairs by providing a high-visibility platform for artists without exclusive gallery representation. Focused on direct connection, authenticity, and discovery, Clio has become a must-attend event for those seeking what’s next in contemporary art. Dates & Hours: May 7–10, 2026 May 7 (Press & VIP Preview, $35/ticket): 6–9 PM May 8–9 (General Admission, FREE Entrance): 12–8 PM May 10 (General Admission, FREE Entrance): 12–6 PM SPECIAL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM: "IT’S OKAY TO BE HUMAN" Some seasons feel different. The world feels heavier, more uncertain — and yet, we continue to show up, create, and seek connection. This May, Clio Art Fair creates space for a simple and necessary reminder: it’s okay to be human Art has always been where we place what words cannot hold. It allows us to reflect, reconnect, and understand ourselves more deeply. Performance sits at the center of this experience. It unfolds in real time — shared space, shared presence, no filters. For this edition, Clio invites work rooted in honesty rather than perfection. Work that reflects what it means to be human today — identity, memory, resilience, loss, joy, and connection. In a world shaped by distance, gathering in person becomes essential. This is not just an art fair. It is a shared human experience.

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Tuesday May 12

1 event

Show

Sarah Lucas—VENUS VICTORIA

All day

New Museum

Plaza: Sarah Lucas—VENUS VICTORIA May 12, 2026–Ongoing A new sculpture commission by Sarah Lucas celebrates women claiming space in public life. VENUS VICTORIA by Sarah Lucas is the inaugural commission for the New Museum’s public plaza. Lucas was selected by an all-artist jury comprised of Teresita Fernández, Joan Jonas, Julie Mehretu, Cindy Sherman, and Kiki Smith, and is the first of five recipients over 10 years who will be selected by a rotating jury. VENUS VICTORIA will be on view for two years in a new outdoor plaza on Bowery at Prince Street created as part of the New Museum’s OMA-designed building expansion. Sarah Lucas: VENUS VICTORIA is curated by Massimiliano Gioni, Edlis Neeson Artistic Director, and Madeline Weisburg, Senior Assistant Curator.

Wednesday May 13

4 events

Plan your own walk Favourite two or more events

Fair

Frieze New York 2026 Private View

11:00 AM

The Shed

Frieze New York, 13–17 May 2026, The Shed, Hudson Yards, New York City Frieze New York returns to The Shed for its 15th anniversary, featuring over 65 leading global galleries. The fair maintains a strong focus on New York’s creative community while showcasing major solo, group, and themed presentations from international icons. The 2026 edition places a special emphasis on Latin American artists, complemented by the "Frame" section for solo presentations by emerging spaces. VIP Programme: Invitation-only Preview on Wednesday, 13 May.

Fair

Future Fair 2026 Private View

2:00 PM

Chelsea Industrial

Future Fair, 13–16 May 2026, Chelsea Industrial, New York City Future Fair holds its sixth edition just steps away from The Shed, focusing on a collaborative and transparent exhibition model. Hosting 68 exhibitors, the fair emphasizes solo and two-person presentations to foster deep engagement with individual artistic practices. The 2026 edition introduces "Future Talks," a live programming series featuring cultural leaders discussing the evolving landscape of the art market. VIP Programme: VIP Preview on Wednesday, 13 May, 2pm–8pm.

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Fair

NADA New York 2026 Private View

All day

Starrett-Lehigh Building · West Chelsea

NADA New York, 13–17 May 2026, Starrett-Lehigh Building, West Chelsea The New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) returns to the iconic Starrett-Lehigh Building for its 12th New York edition. The fair champions 121 galleries and non-profits from 45 cities, serving as the primary destination for discovering emerging voices and experimental practices. Highlights include the "Curated Spotlight" section and a diverse international exhibitor list that reinforces NADA's commitment to the global grassroots art community. VIP Programme: VIP Preview on Wednesday, 13 May.

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Fair

1-54 New York 2026 Private View

All day

Starrett-Lehigh Building · West Chelsea

1-54 New York, 13–17 May 2026, Starrett-Lehigh Building, West Chelsea The 12th New York edition of 1-54 features over 20 exhibitors showcasing the pulse of contemporary African and diasporic creativity. The 2026 fair introduces the curated section "1-54 Presents: Brazil Beyond Brazil," marking its first major focus on Afro-Brazilian artistic practices. The fair remains a vital platform for transnational narratives, connecting New York audiences with galleries from Lagos to London and beyond. VIP Programme: VIP Preview on 13–14 May.

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Thursday May 14

4 events

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Fair

Independent New York Private View

11:00 AM

Pier 36

Independent New York, 14–17 May 2026, Pier 36, New York City For its 17th edition, Independent moves to a sprawling new home at Pier 36 on the Lower East Side, more than doubling its footprint. Known for its curated, museum-quality approach, the fair hosts over 150 artists presented by a select group of international galleries. The new waterfront location features an innovative exhibition design by SO–IL and Diogo Passarinho, emphasizing the fair's role as a strategic hub for rising and undervalued 20th and 21st-century art. VIP Programme: Private Preview on Thursday, 14 May, 11am–5pm.

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Fair · Day 1 of 4

Clio Art Fair 23rd Edition | May 14-17, 2026

12:00 PM · May 14 – 17

Clio Art Fair

Clio Art Fair, the leading independent art fair that champions self-represented artists, returns to Chelsea this spring with its 23rd Edition: May 14-17, 2026. The edition will feature a completely new roster of 35+ international artists and artist collectives, offering collectors, curators, and the public a fresh and diverse experience and a provocative performance program. Clio Art Fair continues to break the mold of traditional art fairs by providing a high-visibility platform for artists without exclusive gallery representation. Focused on direct connection, authenticity, and discovery, Clio has become a must-attend event for those seeking what’s next in contemporary art. Dates & Hours: May 14–17 May 14 (Press & VIP Preview, $35/ticket): 6–9 PM May 15–16 (General Admission, FREE Entrance): 12–8 PM May 17 (General Admission, FREE Entrance): 12–6 PM SPECIAL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM: "IT’S OKAY TO BE HUMAN" Some seasons feel different. The world feels heavier, more uncertain — and yet, we continue to show up, create, and seek connection. This May, Clio Art Fair creates space for a simple and necessary reminder: it’s okay to be human Art has always been where we place what words cannot hold. It allows us to reflect, reconnect, and understand ourselves more deeply. Performance sits at the center of this experience. It unfolds in real time — shared space, shared presence, no filters. For this edition, Clio invites work rooted in honesty rather than perfection. Work that reflects what it means to be human today — identity, memory, resilience, loss, joy, and connection. In a world shaped by distance, gathering in person becomes essential. This is not just an art fair. It is a shared human experience.

RSVP

Party

Henry Street Settlement's inaugural Gala Preview

5:00 PM

Pier 36

Henry Street Settlement is partnering with Independent, the leading invitation-only art show in New York city for rising contemporary art, to launch a new fundraising Gala during the vernissage opening. It will take place on May 14, from 5 to 8 pm, at the fair’s new Lower East Side location, Pier 36, steps from Henry Street Settlement. Guests of the event will enjoy a cocktail party, light hors d’oeuvres, and private viewing of more than 100 rising and established voices and visionaries, many of whom are celebrating their New York debut. These solo and group presentations are commissioned by 76 leading galleries from around the world. Every ticket and donation helps Henry Street’s neighbors find jobs, learn English, access food, go to college, attain needed mental health care, participate in arts programs at Abrons Arts Center, and find paths to success.

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Show

Chelsea Night

6:00 PM

Future Fair · Chelsea Industrial

Chelsea Night Join us on Thursday for Chelsea Night, our annual event alongside the plethora of neighborhood gallery openings in the area on Thursday. Swing by the fair cafe for Happy Hour specials at our cafe by Artesano Peruvian Cuisine and grab a limited-edition Future Fair x Grimm Anniversary Lager or a Special Chelsea Night LoaÖ Mezcal Cocktail. Guests will receive a custom Leuchtturm1917 x Future Fair notebook, while supplies last.

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Friday May 15

2 events

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Performance

Body Configurations: Jonathan González at the Whitney Museum

6:00 PM

Whitney Museum of American Art

At the Whitney as part of the Whitney Biennial 2026, choreographer and artist Jonathan González presents Body Configurations, a photographic installation that merges movement, perception, and spatial awareness. Body Configurations invites viewers into an active relationship with the artwork through embodied engagement. Located on Level 6 at the Shed, the photographic installation comprise six C-prints combining Super8 transfers and digital images. Alexis De La Rosa engages in closed-eye improvisations rooted in Authentic Movement – a pracitice emphasizing institution, sensation and internally driven action.

Party

Marquee Skydeck: Agents of Time

11:00 PM

Marquee Skydeck · Edge at Hudson Yards

Marquee Skydeck welcomes Agents of Time on Friday, May 15 for a cinematic night of melodic techno above New York City. Known for their immersive live-inspired sets, the Italian duo blends analog textures, driving rhythms, and emotional melodies into a sound that’s both powerful and atmospheric. As the skyline lights up around you, expect a journey that evolves throughout the night—layered, hypnotic, and deeply engaging. This is a performance designed to be experienced from start to finish. Presented by Tao Group Hospitality.

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Still on

Clio Art Fair 23rd Edition | May 14-17, 2026

Until Sun · Clio Art Fair

Saturday May 16

1 still on

Still on

Clio Art Fair 23rd Edition | May 14-17, 2026

Until Sun · Clio Art Fair

Sunday May 17

1 still on

Still on

Clio Art Fair 23rd Edition | May 14-17, 2026

Last day · Clio Art Fair

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NYC Art Week May 2026

Highlights

Frieze New York 2026 Private View

Body Configurations: Jonathan González at the Whitney Museum

Thursday May 7

Clio Art Fair 22nd Edition | May 7-10, 2026

Tuesday May 12

Sarah Lucas—VENUS VICTORIA

Wednesday May 13

Frieze New York 2026 Private View

Future Fair 2026 Private View

NADA New York 2026 Private View

1-54 New York 2026 Private View

Thursday May 14

Independent New York Private View

Clio Art Fair 23rd Edition | May 14-17, 2026

Henry Street Settlement's inaugural Gala Preview

Chelsea Night

Friday May 15

Body Configurations: Jonathan González at the Whitney Museum

Marquee Skydeck: Agents of Time

Still on

Clio Art Fair 23rd Edition | May 14-17, 2026

Saturday May 16

Still on

Clio Art Fair 23rd Edition | May 14-17, 2026

Sunday May 17

Still on

Clio Art Fair 23rd Edition | May 14-17, 2026

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