Frieze buys The Armory Show and Expo Chicago

The artwork honest franchise Frieze has acquired The Armory Present in New York, and is within the course of of shopping for Expo Chicago—two of the biggest and longest working festivals within the US.

Each US festivals will proceed to function underneath their very own manufacturers and with their present groups, in keeping with a press launch. The Armory Present, which was based in 1994 and takes place in September, will proceed to be led by its govt director Nicole Berry. And Expo Chicago, which takes place in April, will nonetheless be directed by Tony Karman, who based the honest in 2012. They’ll each work alongside the varied administrators of Frieze’s 5 festivals in London, New York, Seoul and Los Angeles. Additional phrases of those deal haven’t but been disclosed.

A spokesperson for Frieze confirms that the subsequent version of Frieze New York remains to be deliberate to happen at The Shed in Might.

“These acquisitions mark a transformational second in Frieze’s progress and permit us to increase the depth and breadth of our presence within the US—the world’s main artwork market,” Frieze’s chief govt Simon Fox stated in a press release. “New York and Chicago every have their very own distinct ecosystem of artists, galleries, museums, and collectors. By increasing our presence in each cities, we’ll construct on the sturdy observe report we’ve established within the US at Frieze New York and Frieze Los Angeles.”

“Becoming a member of Frieze permits us to leverage a revered model, deep trade information, expanded sources and a bigger community, which can additional improve the expertise for our exhibitors and guests alike,” Berry stated in a press release. “On behalf of our new proprietor, we sit up for continued progress in our position as a cornerstone of the New York cultural panorama.”

Along with its two current acquisitions, Frieze levels 5 festivals a yr: Frieze London and Frieze Masters in October, Frieze Los Angeles in February, Frieze New York in Might and Frieze Seoul in September. The second version of Frieze Seoul will happen from 6 to 9 September, in the meantime the subsequent version of Frieze London marks 20 years for the honest. Frieze has since 2016 been majority owned by the Hollywood leisure firm Endeavor.