NYC: Jump Left Takes on the 2025 Outsider Art Fair

Earlier this month, Jump Left had the incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in New York's vibrant art scene at the 2025 Outsider Art Fair. As Australia's newest social enterprise dedicated to reimagining possibilities for artists with intellectual disability, this international connection was inspiring and affirming.

The Outsider Art Fair: A Celebration of Diverse Voices

The energy at the Outsider Art Fair was palpable. What struck us most was the genuine celebration of art created outside traditional boundaries – work that challenges conventions. For Jump Left, seeing such diverse artistic expressions given a prominent platform reinforced our mission to elevate the voices of extraordinary artists who are often relegated to the margins.

A large crowd of people at the Fleisher/Ollman gallery stand at the 2025 Outsider Art Fair.

Gallery Connections

Our gallery tour across New York was nothing short of transformative. From the impeccably curated Dutton Gallery and Jennifer Lauren Gallery shows to the community-centred approaches of Fountain House Gallery and Creative Growth, each visit offered valuable insights into different models of supporting artists with diverse practices and backgrounds.

Jennifer Gilbert (left) with the artists in her exhibition Meticulous Markings (1 March - 30 April) at Fountain House Gallery, NYC.

Also loved the Imam Sucahyo (b. 1978 in East Java) solo show at Calvin-Morris Gallery, which has been exhibiting contemporary artists from around the world for almost 40 years. It is Sucahyo’s first in depth presentation in the United States, and the detail and depth of his work was truly captivating.

We were particularly drawn to how these spaces balance artistic integrity with commercial viability – a constant consideration in our work at Jump Left. The conversations with gallery directors and curators revealed shared challenges and innovative approaches that we're excited to adapt to the Australian context.

Museum Immersion

Between fair and gallery visits, we found time to absorb New York's world-class museum offerings. The Whitney's commitment to American art in all its diversity was evident in Christine Sun Kim’s solo exhibition ‘All Day: All Night,’ while the Met showcased 'Corrections’ by Jesse Krimes. At MoMA, we were delighted to see NIAD artist Marlon Mullen’s work featured in the project space, exemplifying the museum's dedication to inclusive modernism. Completing our tour, Dia Beacon's dramatic repurposing of industrial space offered yet another perspective on artistic presentation. Each institution provided different lenses through which to view contemporary practice and inspired our thinking about exhibition possibilities.

Installation shot of Christine Sun Kim’s solo exhibition ‘All Day: All Night,’ at the Whitney Museum.

Gratitude and Forward Motion

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of those who opened their doors and shared their knowledge with us. Special thanks to Alex Baker and John Ollman from Fleisher/Ollman, Jennifer Gilbert from Jennifer Lauren Gallery, Sonia Dutton and Adam from Dutton Gallery, Lynne Cooke, Senior Curator at the National Gallery of Art, and artist Jen Williams for their time, expertise, and warm welcome.

As we return to Melbourne, we bring back not just inspiration but practical ideas for how Jump Left can help transform opportunities for artists with intellectual disability in Australia. By connecting with global leaders in the field, we're better positioned to create pathways that enable these artists to thrive professionally while making significant contributions to art.

We have come back with plenty of new ideas to implement at home.

Jump Left is a social enterprise based in Naarm/Melbourne dedicated to creating professional opportunities for artists with intellectual disability through inclusive practice and cultural innovation.