An In-Depth Conversation With The Co-Founders of Future Fair
Dexter Wimberly interviews Rachel Mijares Fick and Rebeca Laliberte, Co-Founders & Directors of Future Fair; and Hayama Artist Residency 2024 Selection Committee Members.
What inspired you to co-found Future Fair and how does it differ from other art fairs?
Rachel Mijares Fick: Around 2018 when Rebeca and I began working on the business, there was a lack of optionality of independently run fairs in New York City for galleries who exhibit new and underrepresented artists. Future Fair came about after countless conversations with art dealer friends that kept circling back to – “If we came together we can create a new fair and a new option.” By 2020, we did exactly that with our cohort of founding galleries who we have included into a profit-share over the first 4 years.
Visitors often tell us that they love that Future Fair is the environment to discover exciting galleries and artists from across the globe. You can see a gallery from Brooklyn next to a gallery from Seoul, next to a gallery from Nashville – this creates a thrilling dialog between the artists of our time. Each year, artists who exhibit with Future Fair springboard into new opportunities. It’s always a fun part of the experience for our audience to see which artists they felt they got to see or buy it “first at Future Fair!”
Perhaps not as known about the fair is that we experiment with developing structures to support new and underrepresented galleries. One of these is our Pay-It-Forward program, a mutual-aid fund in which our founding and current galleries who have the abundance can contribute towards offering grants that offset costs for other exhibitors. We use this fund to support working with galleries who are emerging and diversely-owned businesses.
What role do you think art fairs play in the broader context of contemporary art and culture?
Rachel Mijares Fick: The work of artists reflects the condition of the human soul. We need artists in our society in order to have more empathy, beauty, and interconnectedness.
How do you see technology influencing the future of art fairs?
Rachel Mijares Fick: From what I see trending, the future of art fairs and technology will be a mosaic of: continuing to broaden the audience beyond those who step through the doors; create new systems of equitability for artists and the many lives/homes of their work; and transparency for sales transactions between the buyer, artist, and art dealer.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing emerging artists today, and how does Future Fair address this challenge?
Rachel Mijares Fick: Two major things are challenging artists today: Cost of living and standing out in a crowded field of artists. Many artists are moving out of major art hub cities for more affordable housing and the majority of artists are depending on social media to share their work but they can’t pierce through the algorithms.
At Future Fair we scout for galleries who work with artists both near and far. We work with our galleries to curate a fair that spans what is relevant to the current market to what pushes on the growth edges of artistic trends. This curation helps cut through the noise so that the artists who are offered the opportunity to exhibit with us are able to be platformed in-person, in New York City, in front of thousands of art lovers.
How do you ensure that Future Fair stands out in the crowded landscape of New York City art fairs?
Rebeca Laliberte: New York City is home to so many important and storied art fairs, each contributes its own unique character that appeals to distinct audiences.
Future Fair is dedicated to ensuring that the show is as inviting and relevant to seasoned art enthusiasts and collectors as it is to newcomers – whether they are just starting to explore the art world or have yet to form a deep connection with it. This commitment centers on maintaining a delicate balance: creating a serious and highly curated exhibition, with a firm understanding of the art ecosystem, while retaining an intimate, personable, and approachable atmosphere.
Our efforts leading up to and during the show align with this objective. Collaborating closely with our galleries, we work to facilitate bold, tightly curated presentations wherever possible. From refining communication strategies to organizing additional programming and cultivating key partnerships, the overall goal is to create the best possible context for visitors to discover and experience the work of previously unfamiliar artists. Future Fair is a space designed to invite engagement, elicit reaction, and ultimately spark conversations and connections.
What challenges have you faced in collaborating with galleries and clients across different cultures and countries?
Rebeca Laliberte: Having had the opportunity to live and work in many places, collaborating with galleries and clients across diverse cultures and countries is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work.
As a visitor, I always find that the greater representation of countries at art fairs, the more captivating and compelling the artwork is overall. Art fairs play a pivotal role in introducing new artistic voices and perspectives from every corner of the world to major art markets. We take that responsibility very seriously, recognizing that diversity not only enriches the artistic landscape but also contributes to creating a uniquely engaging experience for our visitors.
Each edition, we strive to ensure a strong presence of international galleries at the fair. The foremost challenge lies in the significant financial investment demanded from galleries to participate in international art fairs. Our efforts involve collaborating with institutions and seeking support from government grant agencies to secure funding and help alleviate these costs wherever possible.
What advice would you give to emerging artists aspiring to establish themselves in the art world?
Rebeca Laliberte: Future Fair is built on a deep respect and appreciation for art galleries and the significant role that dealers play in furthering the careers of artists, so I believe that finding a trustworthy dealer who aligns with your goals is key.
Both before, during and after this crucial step: immerse yourself in the art world and see art in person as often as you can. Attend shows, visit galleries and museums, and actively engage with your local arts community as much as possible.
Looking forward, what are the new projects or initiatives you are most excited about at Future Fair?
Rebeca Laliberte: For the fourth edition of Future Fair New York, we introduced a curatorial committee for the first time to work with us on nominating participating galleries and reviewing presentation proposals. We’re proud to have an inaugural board comprising: Independent Curator Anne-Laure Lemaitre, Curator at Friends of the High Line and co-founder of ACOMPI, Constanza Valenzuela; and Art & Culture Writer, Osman Can Yerebakan. Each member brings diverse expertise and perspectives to the table, adding significant value to the process. We’re reviewing presentation proposals for the upcoming fourth edition right now, and I’m looking forward to seeing how their input will positively broaden the scope of the show.
Our focus in these early years is to keep tightening every aspect of the fair with each season and to continue refining and evolving from edition to edition.
The next edition of FUTURE FAIR takes place May 1- 4, 2024.