Informed by values of collective intelligence, transparent experimentation, and open access, AREA CODE has been developed in collaboration with a team of Boston-area curators, and will be free for exhibitors and viewers. Through online and decentralized in-person experiences across Boston, the fair features works from New England’s most inspiring art galleries, nonprofit organizations, and individual artists (including 2020 Masters graduates, and 2021 candidates) without gallery representation. Along with the fair’s main section, AREA CODE debuts curated sections focused on online artist talks and performance art, drive-in or drive-by outdoor presentations of digital/video art, and storefront displays.

Conceived as an effort to face the economic challenges that the pandemic has posed to the arts community, AREA CODE is committed to building a sustainable and equitable platform to support visual artists, and to highlighting the cultural production of the region. To help mitigate the impact of Covid-19, the fair model includes a progressive profit-sharing initiative whereby sales are distributed as follows: 50% to the artist, 35% to either their gallery/non-profit sponsor or (if unrepresented) back to the cost of administering the fair, and the remaining 15% will be redistributed equally among all section artists at the end of the fair.

AREA CODE online
The fair’s main online section—juried by Octavio Zaya— showcases approximately 90 solo presentations by a diverse group of New England artists. This focused selection offers collectors, art lovers and the general public the opportunity to engage with the best contemporary art created throughout our region. Complementing the main section online is a series of live-streamed performances — selected by Gabriel Sosa and on-screen talks— organized by Amy Halliday.