History

Context is everything.

Independent is an organization for the discovery and rediscovery of extraordinary art for discerning collectors and institutions. 

We are New Yorkers. We get the market. We get the museum landscape. By creating quality projects leveraging museum and market forces, we deliver critical and economic impact for art and artists, and the galleries that represent them. 

Originally established in 2010 with an art exhibition at the former Dia Center for the Arts, we now produce two landmark shows (Independent and Independent 20th Century), publish editorial features and scholarship, and program a range of events that bring together leading artists, gallerists, curators, and thought leaders. 

The art world is not a level playing field: great art alone is no longer enough to ensure success. We are dedicated to creating spaces where exceptional art, artists, and gallerists can thrive, joining a deep understanding of both the market and museum landscape to deliver real impact. We live in an uncertain world, with an uncertain future — but art is and will always be a certainty.

Shows
As curatorial and artistic directors of critically acclaimed shows, we are active influencers of the New York and global art landscapes. Our shows are invite-only via nomination to prospective galleries to ensure curatorial excellence.

Independent
Independent, our show devoted to 21st Century art, premieres more solo debuts than any other New York art fair. We contextualize, validate, and forecast future-facing trends for established collectors and collecting institutions.

Independent 20th Century
Independent 20th Century broadens our understanding of the canon from 1900-2000, featuring new perspectives on historically recognized artists alongside lesser known voices.

Publishing

Independent Features
Independent Features commissions editorial and scholarship on art and artists who are nominated to exhibit at forthcoming Independent shows. We bring together leading arts writers, journalists, historians, and voices from the art world’s most significant collecting institutions, including the ongoing publications and projects such as the New York Art Market Report and New York Gallery History Project.

New York Art Market Report
The first ever report focusing on the New York City art market, commissioned by Independent and authored by leading arts economist Claire McAndrew.

Pre- and Post- Show Market Reports
The only appraisal of the private art market analytics for each edition of our shows, designed to reflect larger unseen data about the primary market.

New York Gallery History Project
A partnership with Contemporary Art Library, this nonprofit initiative showcases important and influential New York City gallery exhibitions in an online archive that is free and available to all.

Programming

New York Art Week
Founded by Independent in collaboration with over twenty leading arts organizations, New York Art Week is a city wide initiative with an unprecedented offering of global art market events and institutional exhibitions.

Previously Unknown
Previously Unknown is a podcast that reframes and reevaluates what we think we know about contemporary art.

Talks
Our Talks program produces live events that gather internationally recognized thought leaders, innovators, artists, curators, gallerists, mavericks, and outliers in conversation about topics of relevance to the international art world.