Independent 20th Century, a boutique art fair dedicated to showcasing both celebrated and overlooked artists from the past century, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Sotheby's that will see the fair relocate to the historic Breuer building in Manhattan for its 2026 edition. The collaboration marks the first time in the modern art market era that an auction house and art fair have formed such an extensive partnership.
The announcement came just hours after the fair closed its doors to the public at its most recent location. Starting in September 2026, Independent 20th Century will be hosted at Sotheby's soon-to-be flagship headquarters in the iconic Breuer building, a landmark of Modernist architecture originally designed by Marcel Breuer. The building, which has recently undergone renovation by Herzog & de Meuron in collaboration with PBDW Architects, previously served as home to the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Met Breuer, and the Frick Madison.
Founded in 2022, Independent 20th Century has distinguished itself through its curatorial programming that reframes historical art movements, spotlighting areas such as women in Surrealism and Arab Modernism. The move to the Breuer building represents a significant expansion for the fair, allowing it to considerably enlarge its footprint to accommodate more than 50 galleries, a substantial increase from the 31 exhibitors at its most recent edition held at Casa Cipriani.
"This is more than a new venue location, it's a symbol of how we wish to imagine unforgettable exhibitions of the 20th Century for a well-informed audience and for a new generation of collectors," said Elizabeth Dee, the fair's founder, in a statement. "Independent 20th Century will create a museum-caliber exhibition experience that supports extraordinary galleries and brings their curatorial and market expertise to light in new ways."
The fair will maintain its distinctive intimate, non-trade-fair format in the new venue. Matthew Higgs, the fair's founding curatorial advisor, emphasized that the goal remains to create environments that allow art to be seen in its best light rather than replicate the trade fair-like aesthetics typical of larger commercial art events. This approach sets Independent 20th Century apart from more conventional art fairs.
Despite the partnership with Sotheby's, Independent 20th Century has stressed its complete editorial independence. "Sotheby's will not have any curatorial voice within our exhibition," Dee clarified, noting that the partnership is mission-driven and designed to broaden the audience for 20th-century art through shared programming and new public initiatives. The collaboration allows both organizations to pursue their respective goals while maintaining their distinct identities.
For Sotheby's, which will formally occupy the Breuer building later this year, the partnership aligns with the auction house's strategic push to reposition its buildings as comprehensive cultural venues rather than sites used exclusively for auctions. "Together with Independent 20th Century, we hope to create a dynamic environment for discovery, dialogue, and exchange at the Breuer," said Madeline Lissner, Sotheby's global head of fine art.
The 2026 edition of Independent 20th Century is scheduled to run from September 24-27, 2026, with a roster expected to exceed 50 exhibitors. This expansion reflects the growing influence of the fair within the art world and its success in attracting both established and emerging galleries specializing in 20th-century art. The partnership between Independent 20th Century and Sotheby's underscores the evolving landscape of the contemporary art market, where traditional boundaries between different sectors of the art world continue to blur and new collaborative models emerge.
