🖼️ AAF New York: How an International Art Fair Became Inaccessible for Québec Artists

When the United States’ 50% tariffs force the cancellation of a major artistic presence.

🌍 Introduction

The Affordable Art Fair (AAF) in New York has long been a rare opportunity for many Québec artists: meeting international collectors, presenting their work in a cultural metropolis, and taking an important step forward in their careers. But in 2026, that door suddenly closed.

The 50% import tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on Canadian artworks made participation in the fair simply impossible for several Québec artists and galleries.

💸 Costs That Became Unrealistic

The gallery L’Art de vivre, based in Arvida, was preparing to participate in the September edition of AAF New York. Everything was ready: artwork selection, logistics, communications, transportation. But just weeks before the event, a number fell like a hammer:

$65,550 USD in fees required at the border to bring the artworks into the United States. This amount represents 50% of the declared value of the paintings transported.

On top of that were the $25,000 USD registration fees, of which only half could be refunded.

For a regional gallery, for independent artists, for creators who self‑fund their travel and exhibitions, these amounts are simply impossible to absorb.

🎨 An International Market Closing Its Doors

For Québec artists, AAF New York is not just an art fair: it is a springboard, a place of encounters, a space where artworks sometimes find their first international collector.

But with these tariffs:

• galleries must withdraw from participation

• artists lose career‑building opportunities

• international sales decline

• relationships with U.S. galleries weaken

Artist Isabelle Bouchard, from Québec City, also had to consider cancelling her exhibition in New York, as her artworks would have been taxed $8,000 USD at the border.

🧭 What Solutions Do Québec Artists Have?

For now, options are limited:

• Requesting tariff exemptions (rarely granted)

• Sending catalogues instead of physical artworks (an imperfect solution)

• Turning toward other international markets (Europe, Asia)

• Strengthening online presence to compensate for the loss of the U.S. market

But none of these solutions truly replace the visibility and opportunities offered by a fair like AAF New York.

🖋️ Conclusion

The cancellation of Québec’s participation in the Affordable Art Fair New York is not a simple setback: it symbolizes an art market weakened by political decisions that go far beyond the artists themselves, yet affect them directly.

For Québec creators, this situation highlights an essential truth: art has no borders… but customs do.

And as long as the 50% tariffs remain in place, artists will need to be creative — not only in their work, but in the ways they make their art travel.

To see my works:https://www.artdevivregalerie.com/en/category/dominique-desmeules

Thank you to encourage the canadian artists!