Thursday, October 10th, 2024 — The Contemporary Art Galleries Association (AGAC) is proud to highlight the strong participation of its members at national and international art fairs this fall. Over the past decade, art fairs have taken on a prominent role in the art market, becoming essential convergence points for galleries, collectors, curators and artists.
AGAC confirms that its members are part of this trend: in a survey of its members carried out in 2023, the Association noted that 34% of sales concluded in the last 12 months had been made at fairs in Canada (23%) and abroad (12%). On the other hand, it is interesting to draw a parallel with collectors’ interest in fairs: according to a recent Artsy study, 67% of collectors surveyed plan to visit between 2 and 5 fairs in 2024.
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Calculated risk for galleries
“AGAC is delighted with the strong presence of its members on the international market,” says AGAC Director Anie Deslauriers. “It’s a calculated risk: on the one hand, the costs associated with shipping artworks and participating in fairs are staggering. But on the other hand, these fairs enable galleries to broaden their client base and break into new markets. They are important showcases for artists, helping them to gain national and international exposure.”
“For our members who take part in fairs,” underlines Ms. Deslauriers, “access to funding remains crucial, especially since the cultural sector is so precarious. Even if they only cover a fraction of expenses, these grants can tip the balance and are sometimes a decisive factor in the risky decision to participate – or not – in a fair.”
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September: New York and Berlin
A look back at our members’ participation
In September, several Canadian galleries took part in The Armory Show, a cornerstone of New York’s cultural landscape. Among our members were Blouin Division, Bradley Ertaskiran, Eli Kerr, Galerie Nicolas Robert, Patrick Mikhail, Pangée and Patel Brown. On the other side of the Atlantic, Montreal galleries Art Mûr and Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain took part in the Positions Art Fair in Berlin.
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Art Toronto, a must-attend
23 AGAC galleries take part in the fair
From October 24 to 27, 23 member galleries will take part in the 25th edition of Art Toronto:
Art Mûr (Montreal)
Blouin Division (Montreal, Toronto)
Bradley Ertakiran (Montreal)
Chiguer Art Contemporain (Quebec, Montreal)
Duran | Mashaal (Montreal)
Eli Kerr (Montreal)
Equinox (Vancouver)
Feheley Fine Arts (Toronto)
Franz Kaka (Toronto)
Galerie C.O.A (Montreal)
Galerie Hugues Charbonneau (Montreal)
Galerie Nicolas Robert (Montreal, Toronto)
Galerie Robertson Arès (Montreal)
Galerie Simon Blais (Montreal)
Galeries Roger Bellemare et Christian Lambert (Montreal)
General Hardware (Toronto)
McBride Contemporain (Montreal)
Pangée (Montreal)
Patel Brown (Toronto, Montreal)
Paul Petro Contemporary Art (Toronto)
Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain (Montreal)
United Contemporary (Toronto)
Zalucky Contemporary (Toronto)
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October and November: Paris and London
From October 9 to 13, Franz Kaka is presenting the work of artist Lotus L. Kang at the renowned Frieze London fair. Galleries Bradley Ertaskiran, Pangée and Patel Brown will be taking part in The Salon, organized jointly by NADA and The Community in Paris from October 17 to 28. Finally, three AGAC members will take part in Paris Photo from November 7 to 10 at the Grand Palais. ELLEPHANT will present artist Sabrina Ratté, Equinox Gallery will present artists Fred Herzog and David Hockney, while Zalucky Contemporary will present artist Caroline Mauxion.