The 37th edition of the Art Dealers Association of America’s (ADAA) flagship art fair, The Art Show, has been cancelled. marking the first time in decades that the fair will not take place at the Park Avenue Armory.
In an email to members on Wednesday reviewed by ARTnews, ADAA leadership cited a “strategic pause” as the reason behind cancelling, adding that the board had made the decision “after careful review.” The fair was originally scheduled to open with a benefit preview on October 28.
“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 reads. “It allows us to evaluate how best to support our members, partners, and the broader arts community in an evolving cultural and market landscape.”
While framed as an opportunity for long-term planning, the move underscores the broader sense of instability and reorganization in the art world. Over the past two weeks, two major art dealers, Tim Blum and Adam Lindemann, have announced they were closing their doors, while art advisors Barbara Guggenheim and Abigail Asher have taken what appears to be a fierce internal feud to court.
The ADAA’s decision adds institutional weight to the growing list of retrenchments.
The Art Show, which began in 1988, has long served as a keystone event for Upper East Side collectors and dealers. Its gala preview night benefits the Henry Street Settlement, raising more than $38 million for the social services nonprofit over the last three decades.
According to the letter, exhibitors who submitted deposits will be contacted next week for “information about reimbursement options.”
The ADAA board said the fair will return in 2026, “with a renewed vision.” Still, its absence this year will surely fuel ongoing fears of an unsteady art market.
