Call for applications

Gallery applications to New Zealand’s preeminent contemporary art fair, Auckland Art Fair are now open.

In a global marketplace crowded with international art fairs, Auckland Art Fair is different. The Fair unashamedly frames a conversation around the wider Pacific Rim region, coming from Auckland, the most culturally diverse city in the Pacific.

The 2020 edition will be the fourth Fair under current ownership and will ambitiously build on the successes of 2018 and 2019. The latter of which resulted in the sale of NZD 9–9.5 million of art by 41 participating galleries, and 10,000 visitors over the five days of the Fair.

Auckland Art Fair is unique in showcasing contemporary art of the wider Pacific Rim region, including not only New Zealand and Australia, but parts of Southeast Asia, the west coasts of North and South America, and the Pacific Islands.

Auckland Art Fair recognises the investment that galleries make in coming to New Zealand and responds to this through a number of initiatives designed to introduce galleries and the artists they represent to a range of institutional curators and established collectors, alongside new collectors and audiences.

Galleries are invited to submit applications for the Main Gallery Section, or Piki Mai: Up Here ^^. The latter conceived in 2018 and housed on the mezzanine level of the venue—along with a bookstore and engaging Talks Programme—offering young galleries and/or artist run spaces the opportunity to participate in the Fair at a more affordable price.

All applications to Auckland Art Fair will be considered by an independent selection committee comprising Christina Barton, Director Adam Art Gallery Te Pataka Toi at Victoria University of Wellington, Michael Lett, Director Michael Lett Gallery, Ryan Moore, Director Fine Arts, Sydney and Justin Paton, Head Curator of International Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Returning initiatives to complement the 41 gallery booths include a curated Projects section, a Talks Programme, a gallery/collector dinner and full VIP Programme which will include opportunities to visit artists in their studios, meet curators and directors of leading Auckland galleries, visit spectacular private collections, experience cutting-edge art spaces around the city, and attend private views of major exhibitions.

Applications close on Monday, October 7,  2019.
To request more information please email applications [​at​] artfair.co.nz.

If you are interested in attending Auckland Art Fair as a VIP guest, please submit a request to vip [​at​] artfair.co.nz.

Contacts
Stephanie Post, Co-director, stephanie [​at​] artfair.co.nz / T +64 21 688 509
Hayley White, Co-director, hayley [​at​] artfair.co.nz / T +64 27 276 4662