Three Galleries to Watch in New York

Dossier: The next wave of the city’s art world is taking shape in spaces that champion risk-taking and new voices. We profile three galleries, Francis Irv, Soft Network, and KAJE, to look out for as they redefine the scene

- Ahmed Gaber

It’s no secret that New York’s art ecosystem is under strain. As institutions slash budgets and corporate sponsorships evaporate, the ripple effects have hit small and mid-sized galleries hardest, many shuttering just as they hit their stride. We witnessed this instability firsthand while working on this feature: Dunkunsthalle, a space we had planned to highlight, was forced to close following urgent structural issues and the sale of its building by the landlord. Founded in a former Dunkin’ Donuts, the space embodied both resourcefulness and a sharp commentary on cultural scarcity. ‘I, like many Americans, grew up with no access to art or culture but awash in chain stores, like Dunkin’ Donuts, in strip malls,’ founder Rachel Rossin told us. Without spaces like these, we risk creating that same cultural vacuum in New York – one that augurs a future of unsettling homogenization, dominated by mega-galleries and corporate influence.

And yet, despite these headwinds, a resilient group of galleries continues to carve out space for experimentation, community and new voices. At Soft Network, programming addresses real structural gaps in the art world – from providing essential support to artists’ estates to forging new models of collaboration and care. Francis Irv operates with a spirit of friendship and curiosity, resulting in exhibitions that feel both rigorous and deeply personal.

And KAJE, with its nimble programming and commitment to emerging artists, has quickly become a vital platform for experimentation and dialogue. These are not just galleries but living communities, sustained by conviction, mutual trust and a willingness to take risks. — Terence Trouillot, senior editor

What started as an impromptu exhibition has become one of Tribeca’s most intriguing new galleries by Marko Gluhaich