This September, visitors to the Affordable Art Fair will discover an exciting new addition: the FIT Prize Wall, a playful and interactive project created by graduate students in the Art Market Studies program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). The project blends education, creativity, and audience engagement, offering fairgoers a chance to participate in a fun game while supporting research on visitor experiences.

The concept is simple yet innovative. Guests who stop by the FIT Prize Wall booth will be invited to scan a QR code and complete a short survey. In return, they will receive a chance to choose a box from the Prize Wall. Some lucky participants will win exclusive prizes such as the FIT × Affordable Art Fair limited-edition tote bags and notebooks, as well as a special highlight: the Bella blind box figure series created by artist Yuqian Fan, an FIT alumna. Featuring twelve collectible characters that combine fashion-inspired aesthetics with playful storytelling, the Bella series brings an element of surprise and collectability that perfectly complements the Prize Wall’s interactive spirit.

The project was coordinated by FIT Art Market Studies students Artemis Wu and Rita Gao, in collaboration with Affordable Art Fair organizers and faculty advisors at FIT. Their goal was to design an installation that reflects both the Fair’s mission of accessibility and FIT’s commitment to innovation. “We wanted to create something that’s not just visually engaging but also builds a bridge between visitors and the Fair,” says Wu.

As the art world continues to seek new ways of connecting with broader audiences, the FIT Prize Wall demonstrates the power of interactivity. It transforms a simple survey into a shared moment of joy, while positioning FIT students as emerging leaders in the cultural sector.

The FIT Prize Wall will be featured at the Affordable Art Fair from September 17 to 21. Visitors are warmly invited to stop by, play, and perhaps leave with both a prize and a new perspective on how art fairs can engage the public.

The opening night on September 17 was a great success. Within just three hours, nearly 300 people participated in the Prize Wall activity, and the booth was surrounded by a continuous stream of visitors. The crowd never seemed to die down, with long lines forming in front of the installation throughout the evening. The Prize Wall quickly became one of the most popular interactive highlights of the night.

Many participants remarked that the project made their visit to the fair much more engaging, saying that it turned the experience from simply viewing art into actively experiencing the joy of art. When prizes were revealed, the cheers and laughter from participants echoed across the space, attracting even more visitors to join the line. The festive atmosphere created a sense of community, as strangers chatted and celebrated together while waiting for their turn. The interactive nature of the Prize Wall not only brought ‘a lot of fun’ but also added a unique layer of excitement and surprise to the opening night.

About the Affordable Art Fair (AAF)

Founded in 1999 in London, the Affordable Art Fair (AAF) has become one of the world’s leading art fairs dedicated to making contemporary art accessible to a wide audience. Over the past 25 years, it has expanded to major cities including New York, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Singapore, and beyond, welcoming millions of visitors and showcasing thousands of emerging and established artists. Guided by its mission to democratize art collecting, AAF brings together galleries and collectors in a vibrant, welcoming environment where visitors can discover high-quality works at approachable price points. Each edition is designed not only as a marketplace but also as a cultural experience, offering interactive installations, educational programs, and opportunities for discovery.

This year’s edition in New York carries the slogan “FALL for Art”, inviting audiences to celebrate the joy of collecting and to engage with art in a spirit of playfulness and inclusivity.