Australian Art Fairs

What Are Art Fairs?

Art fairs are large-scale events where numerous artists and galleries showcase their work in individual booths, creating a temporary but diverse exhibition space. These fairs bring together a wide range of people including buyers, sellers, artists, galleries, and curators. 

Why Are They Important? 

Art fairs go beyond buying and selling; they reveal market trends and indicate the direction of the art world. They also promote international cultural exchange by connecting art professionals, exchanging new ideas, and fostering future collaborations.

Who Can Show? 

Each fair has its own unique features and structures. While some fairs exclusively involve commercial galleries, others support independent artists and collectives.

Australian Art Fair Directory

Sydney Contemporary

Redfern, NSW

Australia’s largest multi-arts centre, the Fair welcomes over 95 emerging and established galleries, showcasing the work of over 500 artists. The fair features a curated program of installations, performances, talks, and VIP events.

Galleries - sydneycontemporary.com.au

Melbourne Art Fair

South Wharf, VIC

Melbourne Art Fair is owned and produced by the Melbourne Art Foundation, a nonprofit Australian arts organisation. With a focus on solo shows and works of scale and significance, Melbourne Art Fair presents contemporary art from 60 leading galleries and Indigenous art centres.

Galleries - melbourneartfair.com.au 

Affordable Art Fair 

Sydney, Melbourne + Brisbane 

Affordable Art Fair holds fairs in 10 cities worldwide, including London, New York, Hong Kong, and Sydney, with new fairs launching in Austin, Berlin, and Brisbane in 2024. Each fair holds a diverse range of local, national, and international galleries and collectives.

Galleries & Collectives - affordableartfair.com

Spring 1883

Melbourne

Spring1883 is a young and exciting hotel-based art fair that draws on the traditions of the Gramercy Park Fair, New York to present the best of contemporary art practice from Australia, New Zealand and beyond in a luxury setting.

Galleries - spring1883.com

Inner West Fair

Newport, VIC

The Inner West Art Fair showcases emerging and established artists. It does not charge sales commissions, allowing artists to keep all earnings from their work. 

Independent Artists & Collectives - innerwestartfair.com.au

Quarantine Art Fair

Portsea, VIC

Established in the Summer of 2021 by Jane Hayman and Luisa Bosci, Quarantine Art Fair provides a summer salon show, similar to concepts often seen in the Hamptons.

Galleries - quarantineartfair.com