Organizer Information
Fair Play Art Fair is a newly launched contemporary art fair organized by FPAF Ltd., founded by Ryan Stanier, who is also the founder of The Other Art Fair. The initiative builds on over 15 years of experience in producing artist-led fairs and international platforms for emerging and established artists.
Fair Play positions itself as a structural alternative to traditional art fair economies by removing upfront exhibition costs for artists and instead operating on a commission-based model tied to actual sales performance. The curatorial framework is overseen by an independent selection committee composed of professionals with curatorial, commercial, and institutional backgrounds. The fair is explicitly designed to prioritize artistic quality, curatorial coherence, and accessibility over financial barriers, aiming to reconfigure how artists access the commercial art market.
Title & Description
Fair Play Art Fair | October 2026 (Inaugural Edition)
Fair Play Art Fair is a curated international contemporary art fair taking place during London’s peak cultural season in October 2026. The core premise is to eliminate stand fees and select artists purely on the strength of their practice. Instead of paying to exhibit, artists are included through a curated selection process and participate under a 50% commission model on sales.
The fair takes place over four days and is structured not only as a sales platform but also as a hybrid cultural environment combining exhibition, performance, immersive installation, sound art, and food-based experiences. This expanded format is intended to increase audience engagement and attract collectors, curators, and cultural professionals visiting London during Frieze Week.
The event is designed as both a commercial opportunity and a professional networking environment where artists can directly engage with buyers, test market response in real time, and build longer-term relationships with galleries, curators, and collectors.
Categories
- Visual Art (Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Mixed Media)
- Installation Art
- Performance Art
- Sound Art / Audio-Based Works
- Multimedia / Interdisciplinary Practices
- Contemporary Experimental Practices
Eligibility
- International artists eligible (open global call)
- Emerging, mid-career, and established artists may apply
- No strict age limit specified
- Open to individual artists and independent practitioners
- Artists must have work available for sale during the fair
- Selected artists are expected to be present for the full duration of the fair (except those selected for Fair Play Curates)
Program Benefits & Awards
- A free exhibition stand at Fair Play Art Fair (no stand fee)
- Presentation of work in a curated international art fair context
- Direct access to collectors, curators, gallerists, and art buyers
- Inclusion in Fair Play marketing, PR, and digital campaigns (including media partnership with Flint PR)
- Opportunity for real-time sales and market feedback
- Continued sales exposure via Fair Play’s post-fair online platform (up to one month after the event)
- Potential for commissions and ongoing collector relationships
- Networking opportunities with participating artists and industry professionals
- Invitation to private view and associated fair events
Additionally, selected artists may be featured in Fair Play Curates, a parallel curated strand highlighting exceptional practices. Artists selected for this section do not need to be physically present during the fair.
Application Fee
- Application fee: £70 + VAT (listed as £84 total in platform summary)
- Non-refundable
- Covers application processing, infrastructure, marketing, and jury evaluation
- Includes 2 complimentary tickets to the fair (approx. £50 value)
Application Requirements
- Completed application form (including personal and practice information)
- CV / artistic biography
- Portfolio of 5 artworks (do not need to be works intended for exhibition)
- Written responses describing artistic practice and approach
- Payment of the application fee
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 23 June 2026
- Selection Notification: By the end of July 2026
- Fair Dates: 15–18 October 2026
- Fair Period: 4-day in-person exhibition during London’s Frieze Week
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
Fair Play Art Fair is explicitly structured as a curated commercial fair rather than an open marketplace, meaning selection is competitive and based on curatorial judgment. The model replaces traditional booth rental fees with a commission-based system (50% on sales during and one month after the fair).
Artists are responsible for transporting, installing, and removing their works. All exhibited works must be available for sale. The fair emphasizes direct market engagement, encouraging artists to interact with collectors and observe pricing dynamics and audience response in real time.
The program also integrates performance, immersive environments, and interdisciplinary cultural programming to broaden audience engagement beyond traditional art fair formats.