NADA Chicago, Which Was Set to Open in Late September, Has Been Cancelled as Art-Fair Calendar Shakeups Extend to the Fall

NADA Chicago, which was scheduled to open its second edition in
the Windy City on September 24, is the latest event to be cancelled
because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cancellation of the well-received contemporary art fair,
which was launched last year as a satellite to EXPO Chicago, is
especially notable considering how late in the calendar it was due
to take place. Until now, most auctions and fairs that have been
moved or rearranged were originally scheduled to take place in the
summer.

“While this decision was difficult to make, the health and
well-being of our galleries, staff, and community is our number one
priority,” New Art Dealers Alliance executive director Heather
Hubbs said in a statement. “We are looking into alternative
initiatives for our members and galleries to showcase work.”

NADA says it is also postponing the more imminent May 7 opening
reception for the third edition of NADA House, a collaborative
public exhibition in two turn-of-the-century Colonial Revival
houses on Governor’s Island in New York. A new date has not been
announced yet.

The trade organization has been actively rallying its members in
response to the COVID-19 crisis, and launched a petition
earlier this month demanding government relief
for galleries, artists, and art workers in New York. It has
also advocated for Senate Bill S8125, which is
aimed at suspending rent for residential and commercial tenants
affected by the coronavirus.

Most recently, NADA partnered with the Kinkade Family Foundation
to release prints of a never-before-seen artwork by Thomas
Kinkade as part of the NADA Gallery Relief Fund to
benefit members of the organization and galleries
internationally.

Meanwhile, the head of EXPO Chicago, Tony Karman, said in a
statement earlier this week that his fair is still taking place in
September, but noted that fair organizers are watching the pandemic
situation closely.

“We are moving forward as scheduled and continually monitoring
recommendations from health professionals and government agencies,”
he said. “However, if after several months it is determined that
large events still should not take place, we will set new
dates.”

EXPO will also be making contributions to the NADA Gallery
Relief Fund.

“In the spirit of
collaboration and respect, we welcomed NADA to Chicago last
year and we look forward to future alignments,” Karman told Artnet
News today after the cancellation of the NADA
fair. “In
addition to our commitment to contribute to their organization, we
will continue to explore ways that we can work with NADA this
year and in the future to further their mission.”

Last year, NADA took place across three floors of the Chicago
Athletic Association Hotel. It was scheduled this year to take
place between September 24 and 27.

The post NADA Chicago, Which Was Set to Open in Late
September, Has Been Cancelled as Art-Fair Calendar Shakeups Extend
to the Fall appeared first on artnet News.