Independent 20th Century moves to Breuer Building, expands exhibitors by 75%
In September 2026, Independent 20th Century will move to Sotheby’s Breuer Building on Madison Avenue, marking a historic first for a commercial art fair collaborating with an auction house. The event will feature 56 exhibitors, a notable 75% rise compared to previous editions. Originally opened in 1966 as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Breuer Building was purchased by Sotheby’s for $100 million in 2023. Elizabeth Dee, the founder of Independent, highlighted the artistic vision of this partnership within a significant venue. Sotheby’s CEO, Charles Stewart, expressed enthusiasm about redefining the art landscape. The fair, which will include 33 new exhibitors like Hauser & Wirth and Thaddaeus Ropac, is scheduled for September 24–27, coinciding with The Armory Show and Spring Break.
Key facts
- Independent 20th Century moves to Sotheby’s Breuer Building on Madison Avenue for September 2026 edition.
- First collaboration between a commercial art fair and a major auction house.
- 56 exhibitors, a 75% increase from previous years (max 32).
- Breuer Building designed by Marcel Breuer, opened 1966, originally Whitney Museum of American Art.
- Sotheby’s acquired the building for $100m in 2023.
- 33 new exhibitors including Hauser & Wirth, Thaddaeus Ropac, Sprüth Magers, Esther Schipper, Lévy Gorvy Dayan, Berry Campbell, Mitchell-Innes & Nash, Gallery Wendi Norris, Olney Gleason.
- Latin American galleries: Galatea, Gomide&Co, Nara Roesler (São Paulo), Instituto de Visión, Leon Tovar Gallery (Bogotá).
- Dates shift to 24–27 September, aligning with The Armory Show and Spring Break.
Entities
Artists
- Emma Kunz
- Oskar Schlemmer
- Jenny Holzer
- Marian Goodman
- Andy Warhol
- Joel Sternfeld
Institutions
- Independent 20th Century
- Sotheby's
- Breuer Building
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Frick Collection
- Hauser & Wirth
- Thaddaeus Ropac
- Sprüth Magers
- Esther Schipper
- Lévy Gorvy Dayan
- Berry Campbell
- Mitchell-Innes & Nash
- Gallery Wendi Norris
- Olney Gleason
- Galatea
- Gomide&Co
- Nara Roesler
- Instituto de Visión
- Leon Tovar Gallery
- Luxembourg + Co
- Nahmad Contemporary
- Salon 94
- Richard Saltoun
- Hollis Taggart
- Weinstein Gallery
- James Fuentes
- Casa Cipriani
- The Armory Show
- Spring Break
- The Betsy Ross Flag and Banner Co
- Multiples Inc.
- Rodder
- The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Madison Avenue
- Meatpacking District
- Financial District
- Upper East Side
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Bogotá
- Colombia
- Los Angeles
- Dallas