ARTnews picks eight group shows for New York Art Week
ARTnews has picked eight group shows to see in New York during Art Week NYC.
The round-up was published on 16 October 2026 and collects group exhibitions taking place across the city during the week. ARTnews
A group show, an exhibition where several artists share one gallery space, is a simple way in. You see a range of work in one visit. You do not need to know any of the names in advance.
That helps during Art Week. The phrase describes a busy stretch when galleries in New York stage overlapping openings, longer hours and one-off events. The programme can feel scattered if you try to follow it all.
A tight list solves that problem. Eight choices fit into a day or spread across a weekend. It is a plan, not a catalogue. You can do one, or you can try for all eight if you have the stamina.
For visitors, this means less shuttling and more looking. Choose one neighbourhood and see what is close by on foot. Check the address, the dates and the opening hours before you set out, because hours can change during a busy week. Allow extra time for travel, as subway rides between gallery districts can eat into the afternoon.
What makes this stand out is variety in a small footprint. Group shows hang different artists wall to wall. Painting can sit near photography. Sculpture can sit near video. You can find what holds your attention by moving a few steps.
You will also see the labour behind the week. Someone has hung each work, levelled each frame, printed each label and packed each crate for the next venue. Gallery assistants can tell you how long a show runs and what else is on nearby. Ask.
Keep the day easy. Wear shoes you can walk in. Leave time for the subway between districts. Bring a friend. Art weeks are social, and group shows give you plenty to talk about without any homework. Walk in, look slowly, and step back when a room feels crowded.
If you cannot make it in person, the list still works as a snapshot. It records what one art publication thought worth flagging in New York on that October date. Save it. Use it to look up the artists later and follow where their work appears next. That is useful even after the week ends.
