Outsider Art Fairs: New York, Paris and Beyond

What is the Outsider Art Fair?

The Outsider Art Fair, often shortened to OAF, is the main international fair for outsider art, art brut and self-taught art. It was founded in New York in 1993 by Sanford Smith and has been run since the early 2010s by the New York dealer Andrew Edlin. Galleries, studios and publishers from around the world take stands to show and sell work, and museums and serious collectors use it to buy.

When is the Outsider Art Fair in New York?

The New York fair takes place each spring at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, in Chelsea. The 34th edition ran from 19 to 22 March 2026, with new exhibitors including the Gallery of Everything from London and the Nanjing Outsider Art Center from China. The 2027 edition is scheduled for 18 to 21 March 2027. Tickets are sold through the fair's website.

When is the Outsider Art Fair in Paris?

The Paris edition, known as Outsider Paris, began in 2013 to bring the fair closer to European dealers and collectors. It is held in the autumn during the week of Art Basel Paris. In 2026 it took place at the Bastille Design Center, 74 boulevard Richard-Lenoir, in the 11th arrondissement, from 20 to 25 October, with about 15 international galleries and free entry. A linked programme of exhibitions, performances and talks ran at the Halle Saint Pierre in Montmartre.

What will you see at the fair?

• Historic artists, such as Bill Traylor, Martín Ramírez, Henry Darger and Madge Gill, at the top of the market.
• Living artists from supported studios such as Creative Growth, often at much lower prices.
• Work from around the world, with growing representation from Asia, Latin America and Africa.
• Books and magazines from publishers such as Raw Vision, which has taken part since the first fair in 1993.
• Talks and events with curators, artists and collectors.

Tips for first-time visitors

• Go early on the first full day if you want to buy; the best works sell fast.
• Ask questions. Dealers expect them, and good ones will tell you how they work with artists and estates.
• Look at the studio stands, which are often the most exciting and affordable.
• Take notes and photographs of artists you like, then follow up later; you do not have to buy on the spot.
• Read our guide to collecting outsider art before you go.

Are there outsider art fairs in the UK?

Not at present. UK self-taught artists are shown through exhibitions at public galleries, the work of charities such as Outside In, supported studios' own shows, and occasional appearances at mainstream art fairs. In 2016, for example, the Museum of Everything presented self-taught artists at Frieze Masters in London. Check our fairs and festivals listings for upcoming dates.

Where to go next

Read collecting outsider art and ethics and the market.