Dialogue with Affordable Art Fair Director — Alan Koh
Affordable Art Fair is one of Singapore’s most well-known returning art fairs, with over 100 global galleries returning and debuting each edition. Despite the continuous trend of artwork price caps increasing and the opening of many blue-chip fairs, I gain the opportunity to ask the Affordable Art Fair’s director — Alan Koh about his unwavering passion towards accessible and affordable art.
Can Art Stay Affordable?
As we deal with not only a price increase with our daily necessities, art is no different. With this in mind, the Affordable Art Fair is always posed with the risk of raising its price cap, which would then raise the question if art can really be affordable in the years to come. Koh expresses:
“We have always been very deliberate about keeping the Fair accessible, and our price ceiling of SGD 15,000 is a key part of that. To be honest, we’ve thought about raising it many times. but have decided to maintain the current ceiling for as long as possible. It ensures that visitors can continue to discover quality artworks at approachable price points, and that collecting feels possible, not intimidating. While we understand that inflation affects artists and galleries alike, the Fair’s ethos has always been about inclusivity over exclusivity.
Many artists who started with us have since outgrown the Fair in both their practice and value, which we see as something to celebrate. Rather than increasing the cap, we focus on working with our galleries to present a strong mix of emerging and mid-career artists so there’s something for every collector, from first-timers to seasoned buyers. Accessibility remains central to who we are and why people return each year.”
Rather than keeping up with the trend of marking up projects over and over, the Affordable Art Fair stands strong in their ethos to keep art accessible to collectors and offer themselves as a platform for artist growth. A spirit of cheering on those who have outgrown the fair, and of welcoming its returning community.
A Community in Art
The art market can sometimes feel cold or exclusive to new audiences, but Koh hopes to achieve a much different picture through the Affordable Art Fair.
“ The Affordable Art Fair has become a space where relationships grow over time, between artists, galleries, collectors and even budding art lovers. Each returning gallery contributes to that sense of continuity and belonging. Over the years, I have seen galleries champion artists who first exhibited as unknowns at the Fair, and now return as established names. My hope is that this sense of shared growth continues, that the Fair remains not just a marketplace, but a genuine meeting point for not only locals, but the regional art community to connect, collaborate and support one another.
(Even) for new collectors, the biggest hurdle is often confidence— understanding how to choose art they love and feel good about owning. We are constantly evolving our visitor experience to make art discovery easier and more engaging, through curated sections, guided tours, and our educational content online. The Affordable Art Fair was built on the idea that collecting art should be joyful, not intimidating, so we take pride in demystifying the process. Whether someone buys their first SGD 500 print or an SGD 10,000 painting, we want it to feel like an experience of learning and connection. Trusting your own taste is what we advocate. Buy what you love.”
The vision of encouraging and connecting through art is a community Koh sees already blooming within the fair, and anticipates whoever might walk through the fair doors— as what a community should be. Advocating for one’s individual palate (not resale value nor hype) should be the forefront of art collecting, and the fair is a space where all perspectives are celebrated.
Art Appreciation Before Anything Else
It might be intimidating to visit a fair knowing you will not be purchasing a piece, but Koh refutes this fear with his own personal view towards the Affordable Art Fair. This statement resonates strongly as a huge art spectator than collector.
“The Fair is lively, human, and visitors can chat directly with gallerists and artists, ask questions, and form genuine connections. It’s not about status, it’s about stories. Many visitors tell us that they love discovering artists whose work speaks to their everyday lives, and that energy is what sets us apart. It feels less like an exhibition and more like a celebration of creativity that belongs to everyone. The atmosphere is engaging, transparent pricing, we welcome almost 50% new visitors in each edition. It is all about having fun.
Even if someone doesn’t buy art, I hope they leave feeling inspired. The Fair offers a chance to engage with ideas, emotions, and cultural expressions through workshops, meeting artists, and understanding what goes into a work of art. Many visitors come simply to enjoy the atmosphere and find themselves returning the next year, perhaps as collectors. Ultimately, I want every visitor to walk away reminded that art has a place in their everyday lives.”
Art for All
Koh ends our conversation with a warm view of the Affordable Art Fair’s audience and shows his excitement to meet new visitors and galleries in 2025’s edition of the fair. Whether you might be an aspiring collector, art lover, or want to take the chance to view exhibits out of Singapore, the Affordable Art Fair stands strong as the place to be for a free and easy discovery of art.
At its core, Affordable Art Fair champions the joy of art collection, aiming to infuse every home with art, regardless of its size or budget. The Affordable Art Fair will be happening from 13 – 16 November 2025 at the F1 Pit Building. Tickets can be bought here*, and the event is eligible for Culture Credit passes.
Event & Ticket Information
Date: 13 – 16 November 2025
Location: F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975
Opening Hours:
Friday, 14 November, 11am – 9pm
Saturday, 15 November, 10am – 7pm
Sunday, 16 November, 10am – 7pm