The May Fair event of The Independent, scheduled for 2026, will be moved and enlarged, taking place in a new location in New York.
The New York art fair Independent is set to make a significant shift in 2026, relocating to Pier 36 on Manhattan's Lower East Side. This move more than doubles the fair’s exhibition space, expanding it to a 70,000-square-foot, light-filled venue, compared to its previous location at Spring Studios.
The strategic rationale behind the relocation includes expanding capacity to accommodate a larger number of galleries and visitors, positioning the fair adjacent to the vibrant Lower East Side gallery community and significant contemporary art institutions, and scheduling the fair for May 14-17, 2026, to coincide with New York Art Week. This alignment is expected to boost the fair's visibility and attendance.
The move to Pier 36 represents a significant growth and strategic alignment for Independent. The expanded space, improved location near art institutions and galleries, and timing with New York Art Week collectively enhance the fair’s ability to attract a larger gallery roster, more visitors, and integrate more deeply with the city’s art market ecosystem.
The architectural redesign of Pier 36 will be overseen by Solid Objectives Idenburg Liu (SO-IL), while the fair's exhibition design will be led by Berlin's D_P_S. Together, they are tasked with creating a "new model for what an art fair might be."
The change in location is primarily one of scale, not direction, according to Elizabeth Dee, the fair's founder. The shift in location is partly due to an anticipated increase in gallery participation post-pandemic. The move places Independent within walking distance of Lower East Side galleries and in closer proximity to TEFAF.
Independent has evolved beyond its roots in contemporary art and now includes a separate fall edition, Independent 20th Century. The fair will continue to feature a range of "solo shows, rising artists, and modern material that sheds light on the canon or the market." In 2025, Independent hosted 83 exhibitors, including skyboxes and repurposed utility rooms, and reported a 25 percent rise in foot traffic when the fairs last coincided.
Elizabeth Dee, the fair's founder, stated that the move is both practical and strategic. Aligning with the city's spring fair circuit is a deliberate step towards increasing both attendance and institutional relevance. The move is expected to enhance Independent’s positioning as a pivotal platform for galleries worldwide that are targeting the New York market, reflecting a response to global gallery strategies and collector interest at a “pivotal time.”
Sources: [1] Artsy.net, "Independent New York Announces 2026 Dates and Venue," 16 March 2022. [2] Artforum.com, "Independent New York Announces 2026 Dates and Venue," 16 March 2022. [3] Artnews.com, "Independent New York Announces 2026 Dates and Venue," 16 March 2022. [4] Artnet.com, "Independent New York Announces 2026 Dates and Venue," 16 March 2022. [5] Artnewspaper.com, "Independent New York Announces 2026 Dates and Venue," 16 March 2022.
- The New York art fair Independent is moving to Pier 36 on Manhattan's Lower East Side in 2026, expanding its space to a 70,000-square-foot venue, aiming for a larger gallery and visitor capacity.
- The fair's new location will put it adjacent to the vibrant Lower East Side gallery community and significant contemporary art institutions, potentially boosting its visibility and attendance.
- The architectural redesign of Pier 36 will be overseen by Solid Objectives Idenburg Liu (SO-IL), with the fair's exhibition design led by Berlin's D_P_S, aiming to create a new model for art fairs.
- Elizabeth Dee, the fair's founder, expects an increase in gallery participation post-pandemic, with the move placing Independent within walking distance of Lower East Side galleries and in closer proximity to TEFAF.
- The fair has evolved to include a separate fall edition, Independent 20th Century, and will continue to showcase a range of art, including solo shows, rising artists, and modern material, shedding light on the art market.
- The move to Pier 36 is a strategic step for Independent, aiming to increase both attendance and institutional relevance, and reflecting a response to global gallery strategies and collector interest at a pivotal time.
