[ad_1]
A new artist-led art fair is set to launch in London this October with a model designed to challenge the traditional economics of exhibiting.
Fair Play Art Fair will debut at One Marylebone from 15th–18th October 2026, introducing a commission-based structure where selected artists receive free exhibition stands rather than paying upfront fees to participate.
Founded by Ryan Stanier, creator of The Other Art Fair, the fair has been developed from more than 15 years of experience working with emerging and established artists internationally. The aim is to rethink the conventional pay-to-exhibit model and create a more accessible framework for artists presenting and selling their work.
Stanier said:
“Fair Play is built around a simple idea: artists should be selected on the strength of their work, not their ability to pay to exhibit. We wanted to rethink the artist-led fair model and create something that genuinely puts artists first.”
Launching during London’s busiest week in the international art calendar alongside Frieze London, the inaugural edition hopes to attract collectors, curators, galleries and wider cultural audiences from around the world.
Situated just minutes from Frieze in central London, One Marylebone will host a curated programme that extends beyond a traditional fair format. Alongside artist presentations, Fair Play Art Fair will include immersive installations, sound art, dining experiences and live performances throughout the four-day event.
The fair’s emphasis on “play” is intended to encourage wider public engagement while creating new opportunities for participating artists to connect with audiences outside conventional art world structures.
Rather than operating as an open marketplace, Fair Play will use a curated selection process overseen by an independent committee spanning curatorial, institutional and commercial sectors. Artists selected for the fair will receive a free stand, while the organisation will take a 50% commission on works sold during the event and for three months afterwards.
Alongside the main fair, a parallel platform titled Fair Play Curates will spotlight additional artists and emerging talent selected directly by the fair’s directors. Artists who are not awarded stands may still be considered for inclusion within this curated presentation.
Participants will also receive promotional support and media exposure through partnerships including Flint PR, alongside opportunities for collector engagement, commissions and post-fair sales through the Fair Play platform.
Application Details
• Application fee: £70 + VAT
• Includes consideration for a free stand and two complimentary fair tickets
• Artists must submit five examples of work representative of what they would present at the fair
• Successful applicants will be notified from July 2026.
Apply: HERE
Fair Play Art Fair, 15th–18th October 2026, One Marylebone
For artist enquiries: artists@fairplayartfair.com
About
Ryan Stanier is a British entrepreneur and arts organiser best known as the founder of The Other Art Fair, a global art fair platform focused on supporting emerging artists and making contemporary art more accessible to new audiences. Ryan Stanier launched The Other Art Fair in London in 2011 as an alternative to traditional art fair models, creating a direct connection between artists and collectors.
Under Stanier’s leadership, The Other Art Fair expanded internationally with editions in cities including London, Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and Melbourne. The fair became known for combining contemporary art with performance, music and immersive experiences, helping broaden participation in the contemporary art market. Ryan Stanier’s work has focused on supporting independent artists and developing new models for art commerce and audience engagement.
Ryan Stanier continues to contribute to discussions around accessibility, entrepreneurship and innovation within the global contemporary art world, particularly in relation to emerging artists and alternative art fair formats.
Categories
Tags
[ad_2]
Source link
No Comment! Be the first one.