Startup San Francisco

April 18-20, 2025

Hotel del Sol

3100 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Created for artists, by artists, Startup Art Fair is a unique platform where independent talents take control of their careers and connect directly with collectors, curators, and art professionals in an intimate boutique hotel setting.

artist applications are now being accepted

apply here

Why Exhibit with us?

Direct Sales: Keep 100% of your sales
Premium Location: Four nights' accommodation included
Professional Exposure: Connect with thousands of collectors, curators, and gallerists
Complete Fair Support Package:
- Personal artist webpage
- Comprehensive PR and marketing support
- Curatorial and professional development guidance
- Complimentary fair passes for your guests
- 4 nights at the hotel with continental breakfast
- Complimentary off-street parking during the fair

Startup Art Fair is a unique contemporary art fair for independent artists. Our intimate, boutique fair provides artists and art enthusiasts with direct access to the art world, fostering new relationships and creating a new exhibition platform for thought-provoking contemporary artwork in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

With the dawn of the internet age, consumers are experiencing artwork unfiltered and direct from the artist via social media. More and more artists report building a thriving client base by selling works straight from the internet. Startup is forward thinking--mirroring this shift in the art market by creating direct access between consumer and artist without sacrificing quality. Each fair assembles a panel of curators, gallerists and professional artists to vet our exhibiting artists, ensuring a thoughtful and dynamic group of artists that will impress and inspire our attendees.

Since its inception, Startup has enjoyed a steady attendance growth of 20%, which includes multicultural professionals, techies, collectors, and art and design enthusiasts working in the top industries in our region and running their own businesses. They are engaged on social media and love finding unique events for themselves and their families.

Our unwavering mission to support creative and professional success for independent artists makes Startup the converging point where artists, art world professionals and art lovers can all connect to foster new relationships and rewarding opportunities.

Application Details

It’s free to apply. Simply fill out our brief application and upload a CV, bio, exhibition proposal, and 4-8 images. Up to 3 artists may apply for a space together.

Exhibitor fees (depending on the size and type of the room) range from $2000 to $4400. Startup’s cost per square foot and per linear feet of wall space are among the lowest of all artists fairs, and unlike the others, we do not take a commission of sales. There are some restrictions on how artists can hang artwork in the rooms, so please see our Artist FAQ page for more details.

Applications will be reviewed, and artists will be accepted on a rolling basis from November 2024 through February 2025. Upon acceptance, you'll have the opportunity to choose your preferred room—apply early to secure the best spot!

What Artists are Saying About Us:

Startup was beautifully organized and delivered a steady flow of engaged art aficionados, buyers and art industry pros. Had onsite art sales and landed multiple commission projects. Well worth showing there!

—Brian Huber

An art venue and artist opportunity I will not soon forget! Extraordinary group of talented artists, unlimited opportunities to network and engage with art enthusiasts, collectors, media, designers, gallerists, photographers and members of the film industry. I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity as an artist and hope to show with Startup again in the near future.

—Beka Brayer

The fair was all-around such a positive and rewarding experience...I've not had other experiences where in 3 days I was able to interact with hundreds of people including collectors, corporate buyers, gallerists, and other artists or potential collaborators. And most significantly, it looks like the fair may have been just the initial seed planting which may have far-reaching effects on my art practice and professional growth.

—Amy Oates

Startup was an invigorating weekend for my art practice. Not only did I generate sales of my work, it was a relief to finally get my work in front of a new and serious art audience. I had some amazing conversations with collectors, gallerists and consultants and the shared experience with the other artists forged new and sustaining friendships.

—Nancy Willis

I was at first hesitant to participate, but I am beyond pleased with having done so. I was amazed at the number of people who came through and am happy with the contacts I made. It really makes you appreciate how much work galleries have to do when they’re at these fairs -- it’s really intense. And yes, I am also relieved to have sold as much work as I did; it covered all of my costs and beyond. I met some wonderful people to boot.

—Mitra Fabian

Participating in Startup Art Fair was not only a great opportunity to have my work seen by curators, museum directors and collectors, it was a lot of fun too.

—Kimberlee Koym

Thanks for your strong support for us on top of everything else you provided. There is no question in my mind that this was worth both the money and effort...the fair allowed me to more fully envision how this event can be implemented to move my practice forward.

—Jon Fischer

As an emerging artist I think that the Startup Art Fair is a must to get you started. I learned so much about getting ready for a show, how to curate my collection and gained the confidence to create and pursue my own vision and voice.

—Anna Sidana

I think the quality of the visitor here, it’s not about the quantity, the quality has been stupendous. The art writers, the gallerists, etc. On both days we’ve had about 8-10 different gallery owners. At one point there were 3 independent art dealers in here with us at the same time.

—Annie Seaton