Frieze Art Fair Los Angeles 2025 will go ahead as scheduled from February 20-23, the art fair confirmed on Friday, following the devastating wildfires in the city. Concurrent Los Angeles art fair Felix Art Fair and newcomer Santa Monica Post Office confirmed earlier this week that their events would take place.
“After careful consideration and extensive conversations with galleries, partners and stakeholders across the city, we can confirm that the sixth edition of Frieze Los Angeles will go ahead as scheduled,” Frieze wrote in a statement. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Since the show’s inception six years ago, Frieze has been proud to support and be a part of this vibrant community amid the current challenges facing the city. It will only strengthen our commitment to rebuild and recover with our communities.”
The fair noted that the decision was made to best support “the local economy and arts community.” Frieze also said it is committed to developing initiatives to aid recovery efforts and has signed on as a founding donor to the Los Angeles Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, “which supports recovery efforts and provides assistance to those most affected. We invite Come join us at Getty.edu to support these efforts.”
As Artnet reported on Thursday, the decision comes in the wake of debate over whether the fair should take place, with local gallerists eager for the fair to go ahead as planned and some out-of-town participants hoping it would be postponed .
In addition to announcing Frieze Los Angeles, fair organizers also shared statements of support from more than a dozen artists, gallerists, curators, and museum directors, including Doug Aitken , Kelly Akashi, Tim Blum, Jeffrey Deitch, Michael Govan, Essence Harden Harden, David Kordansky Kordansky, Zoe Ryan and Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete.
“I don’t want the financial impact of this to spread further and affect other artists,” said artist Kelly Akashi, who lost her home and studio in the fire. “I’m here to celebrate the achievements of other artists and I’m not personally insulted by the promotion of their work. I want my community to stay healthy and need them to be supported so they can support me and others affected by the fires of people providing this care.”
Essence Harden, who is curating Frieze’s Los Angeles Focus section for the second time this year and is co-curator of the Hammer Museum’s 2025 Made in Los Angeles Biennial, shares: “I love Los Angeles; My home, my life is made possible because of the generosity, care and people of this city. Frieze is an ecosystem of contractors, makers, artists, gallerists, collectors, institutions, non-profits, art handlers, small businesses and the people who find financial and social support within it. There is a need and a will here to allow art to continue to happen, to allow possibility to emerge in the midst of great loss and grief. “
Tim Blum of BLUM Gallery said: “As someone who opened a gallery in Los Angeles 30 years ago, I am grateful for the leadership Frieze has shown in advancing the art fair during this difficult time. Moving forward — it’s the right decision for the city, for local artists, and for the rebuilding effort that’s best for the arts scene now.”
Organizers of the Felix Art Fair reinforced their commitment Friday afternoon, extending an invitation to distinguished guests and asking them to consider donating to the Felix Wildfire Fund, which will benefit the arts community’s Grief and Hope Mutual Aid Initiative. “As Southern California begins to rebuild after last week’s wildfires, we are deeply committed to making this year’s Felix Art Fair a positive moment for the entire community,” Felix’s email read. “We believe the purpose of our fair remains clear: to support the artists and international galleries that form the fabric of our culture.”
The Santa Monica Post Office issued a statement on Instagram on Friday confirming its plans to proceed: “As various institutions, galleries and art fairs have said in other statements, we believe this is for our survival and health Best choice. Community,” the post read. In addition to encouraging donations to Grief & Hope, Cal Fire Foundation, and World Central Kitchen, the post reads, “We humbly encourage those who want to help the Los Angeles arts community to show up this February.”
