Photography by Colin Miller for Sotheby's
Independent 20th Century, the show featuring new perspectives on both historically celebrated and under-recognized artists, announces that it will relocate in 2026 to the historic Breuer building, a Modernist landmark and the new headquarters of Sotheby’s in New York City. The fair will take place at its new venue located at 945 Madison Avenue next fall, from September 24th to 27th, 2026.
Designed by Marcel Breuer, the building has been adapted for Sotheby’s by the Pritzker Prize–winning architects Herzog & de Meuron, in partnership with New York–based PBDW Architects. Independent 20th Century will take place in the building’s new state-of-the-art gallery spaces, which will allow the fair to double its exhibition scope. This expansion will offer more opportunities to present genres that reposition and reframe the history of 20th Century art, including women in surrealism, Arab modernism, American regionalism, the New York avant garde, Brazilian legacies, indigeneity and self taught artistic practices.
“This is more than a new venue location, it’s a symbol of how we wish to imagine unforgettable exhibitions of the 20th Century for a well-informed audience and for a new generation of collectors,” says Independent founder Elizabeth Dee.
“To continue elevating the bar of what we do in New York, Independent 20th Century will create a museum-caliber exhibition experience that supports more than 50 extraordinary galleries, and will feature their curatorial and market expertise in new and surprising ways,” says Dee. ”It’s a fitting and exciting next chapter for a show whose mission is to reassess the canon of 20th century art.”
The Breuer building has a rich architectural history and has housed the city’s most prominent art institutions for decades. It opened in 1966 as the first purpose-built location of the Whitney Museum of American Art, and after the institution’s move downtown, it served as a temporary outpost of the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art (in 2016–2020) and the Frick (2021–2024). The renovation preserves the integrity of Breuer’s modernist masterpiece while introducing new and expanded cultural and public uses. The new gallery spaces are best in class, without any temporary exhibition walls or lighting, and the building’s new configuration will guide the circulation pattern for the gallery presentations, which will occupy individualized spaces across the building’s five floors.
“Together with Independent 20th Century, we hope to create a dynamic environment for discovery, dialogue, and exchange at the Breuer. As one of New York’s most storied cultural landmarks, the Breuer provides an extraordinary setting in which to showcase the fair’s vision,” says Madeline Lissner, Sotheby’s Global Head of Fine Art.
Independent 20th Century’s move to Sotheby’s at the Breuer is an opportunity to expand on the organization’s long track record of giving artists a platform who are worthy of institutional attention. Independent’s loyal and committed community of collectors see Independent as a place to discover new artists, learn more about their unique time periods, and access meaningful expertise.
The move also opens opportunities for collaboration between the fair and Sotheby’s in programming, exhibitions and audience development around 20th Century art. By bringing together Independent’s curatorial approach with Sotheby’s global platform and unmatched expertise, the partnership will create new bridges between the galleries, collectors and the public.
“From the outset Independent has sought to create intimate and meaningful encounters with art for a broad and informed public. Central to these experiences has been the architectural settings in which the fair takes place,” says Matthew Higgs, Founding Curatorial Advisor. “Eschewing the trade fair-like aesthetics typical of most art fairs, Independent has instead sought to create environments that allow art to be seen in its best light. In its new home at Marcel Breuer’s iconic Madison Avenue building, sensitively reanimated by Sotheby’s and Herzog & de Muron, Independent 20th Century will once again reimagine the idea of what an art fair might be.”
About Independent: Independent is a mission driven organization that serves galleries, artists, collectors, arts writers and institutions internationally. Originally established in 2010 as a critically acclaimed art exhibition at the former Dia Center for the Arts, Independent has expanded, incorporating two landmark shows (Independent and Independent 20th Century), commissioned publications and scholarship, and oversees a public program of research based initiatives that bring together leading artists, gallerists, curators, journalists and thought leaders.
About Sotheby’s: Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
About Herzog & de Meuron: Herzog & de Meuron is an international architectural practice based in Basel, Switzerland. Established in 1978, the practice is led by the two founders together with the Partners and the CEO.Herzog & de Meuron has established itself internationally with projects such as the Tate Modern in London, the De Young Museum in San Francisco, M+ Museum for Visual Culture and the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage & Art in Hong Kong, Pérez Art Museum Miami, Prada Aoyama in Tokyo, SONGEUN Art Space in Seoul, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and the National Stadium in Beijing.
About PBDW Architects: Founded in 1965, PBDW Architects provides intelligent, critical, creative vision and solutions to various cultural, commercial, and residential design challenges. The collegial practice consistently delivers transformative and award-winning designs that add to the collective memory of their contexts and communities.
For more information, please contact Emily Stewart-Han at press@independenthq.com.