Melbourne Art Fair 2016 cancelled following gallery withdrawals and Sydney Contemporary competition
The Melbourne Art Foundation cancelled the 2016 Melbourne Art Fair, scheduled for August at the Royal Exhibition Building, after several prominent galleries pulled out just before payment deadlines. Anna Pappas, chairperson of the foundation, stated the organization had no desire to become an affordable, mediocre event, despite being able to fill the vacated spots. According to The Guardian, withdrawals included Roslyn Oxley, Tolarno Galleries, and Anna Schwartz. The foundation plans to reintroduce the fair later after reconsidering its model. In an interview with ArtAsiaPacific, a gallerist linked the decision to Sydney Contemporary, a biannual fair launched in 2013 by Art Fairs Australia, which will run annually starting in 2017. Art Fairs Australia recently ended its contract with the Melbourne Art Fair 18 months into a 20-year agreement. The announcement was made on 19 February 2016.
Key facts
- The 2016 Melbourne Art Fair was cancelled by the Melbourne Art Foundation
- It was due to open in August at the Royal Exhibition Building
- High-profile galleries withdrew just before payment was due, including Roslyn Oxley, Tolarno Galleries, and Anna Schwartz
- Anna Pappas, chairperson of the Melbourne Art Foundation, cited a lack of interest in becoming an affordable, mediocre fair
- The foundation plans to bring back the fair at a later date with a new model
- A gallerist attributed the cancellation to Sydney Contemporary becoming an annual fair starting in 2017
- Art Fairs Australia terminated its contract with the Melbourne Art Fair 18 months into a 20-year term
- The cancellation was announced on 19 February 2016
Entities
Institutions
- Melbourne Art Foundation
- Roslyn Oxley
- Tolarno Galleries
- Anna Schwartz
- The Guardian
- ArtAsiaPacific
- Sydney Contemporary
- Art Fairs Australia
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Royal Exhibition Building
- Sydney