ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Armory Week 2011: New York Art Fairs and Bleecker Street Gallery Initiative

festival-fair · 2026-04-23

During Armory Week in March 2011, multiple art fairs took place across New York City. A gallery on Bleecker Street organized an event featuring artists and spaces from Brooklyn and the Lower East Side, positioning itself ahead of the official fair schedule. The publication artcritical announced it was seeking its own version of photographer Bill Cunningham to document the scene. This initiative highlighted the competitive atmosphere surrounding the week's events, with various venues vying for attention. The gathering brought together different artistic communities from distinct New York neighborhoods. Armory Week traditionally marks a significant period in the city's art calendar, attracting collectors, critics, and enthusiasts. The Bleecker Street location served as an alternative platform for emerging or underrepresented artists. These activities underscored the decentralized nature of New York's art ecosystem during major events.

Key facts

  • Armory Week occurred in March 2011
  • Multiple art fairs were held in New York City
  • A Bleecker Street gallery hosted an event
  • The event featured Brooklyn and Lower East Side peers
  • artcritical sought its own Bill Cunningham
  • The gallery initiative preceded official fair schedules
  • The publication artcritical covered the events
  • Armory Week is a significant annual art period in New York

Entities

Artists

  • Bill Cunningham

Institutions

  • artcritical

Locations

  • New York City
  • United States
  • Bleecker Street
  • Brooklyn
  • Lower East Side

Sources