Further expanding its presence in the US market, Frieze has acquired two of the country's longest-running art fairs

Frieze just announced that it has acquired The Armory Show in New York and signed an agreement to acquire EXPO CHICAGO. The acquisition of two of the longest-running art fairs in the United States demonstrates Frieze’s firm commitment to the US market and confidence in its continued strength. Both fairs will continue to operate under their existing brands and with their current teams.  

“These acquisitions mark a transformational moment in Frieze’s growth and allow us to extend the depth and breadth of our presence in the US – the world’s leading art market.” said Simon Fox, CEO of Frieze. “New York and Chicago each have their own distinct ecosystem of artists, galleries, museums, and collectors. By expanding our presence in both cities, we will build on the strong track record we have established in the US at Frieze New York and Frieze Los Angeles.”  

Kristell Chadé, Executive Director, Frieze Fairs, added, “The Armory Show and EXPO CHICAGO each have a history that is foundational to the US art market, and we look forward to working with their dedicated teams, who bring with them invaluable knowledge and connections to new audiences. Both fairs share Frieze’s commitment to supporting the creative life of their host cities by working with institutions, non-profits and cultural partners, and together we can make a greater collective impact.”  

Nicole Berry (Executive Director, The Armory Show) and Tony Karman (Founder, President and Director, EXPO CHICAGO) will work alongside the international team of Frieze Directors; Nathan Clements Gillespie (Director, Frieze Masters), Eva Langret (Director, Frieze London), Patrick Lee (Director, Frieze Seoul) and Christine Messineo (Director of Americas, Frieze).   

Berry said: “We are excited for our organization to join the Frieze family. As New York’s largest art fair, this acquisition marks an important milestone for the storied Armory Show as it approaches its third decade in the world’s largest art market. Our deep relationship with the New York art community has facilitated initiatives including the siting of public art throughout the city and the formation of partnerships with important New York events such as the US Open. Joining Frieze enables us to leverage a respected brand, deep industry knowledge, expanded resources and a larger network, which will further enhance the experience for our exhibitors and visitors alike. On behalf of our new owner, we look forward to continued growth in our role as a cornerstone of the New York cultural landscape.”

“Chicago has always been a vital crossroads for the arts, anchored by world-class institutions, dedicated collectors, and an incredibly robust landscape of international dealers and artists, all of which inspired the founding of EXPO CHICAGO more than a decade ago,” said Karman. “In that time, the exposition has grown into a truly citywide, year-round pursuit, and this acquisition further signals the pivotal role of Chicago as a key center for the US art market. We are incredibly grateful for this monumental partnership with Frieze, which will strengthen the fair's impact and reach in service of our exhibitors and provide us and our patrons with new invaluable resources."

‍

Frieze

‍