The High School of Art & Design is proud to announce FanfaireNYC 2025, taking place Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, from 10am to 6pm EDT. Now in its eighth year, this electrifying pop culture festival returns to the beautiful High School of Art and Design building in East Midtown Manhattan.
A convening of community, creativity, and positivity, FanfaireNYC features dynamic panel discussions with industry pros who provide insights about their careers and creative processes, fabulous cosplay contests, games, and portfolio workshops where aspiring artists can hone their craft. The heart of the festival is the now legendary Artist Alley, where established professional artists and Art & Design’s brightest stars showcase and sell their original creations.
FanfaireNYC promotes authenticity, entrepreneurship, and technology in the arts—representing all of the High School of Art and Design’s eight majors: animation, architecture, cartooning, film, illustration, fashion design, graphic design, and photography. Special guests include animation director and producer Abe Audish; comics artists Chris Batista, Ryan Dunlavey, Soo Lee, and Amy Reeder; comic authors Carl Potts, Amy Chu, Ivan Cohen, Joseph P. Illidge, and Fred VanLente; fashion illustrator Deanna Kei; cosplayers Empire Guild, Lexy Kary, Ben Mather, McHeretic, Mom the Cosplayer, and Stardust Megu; graphic designer Titus V. Thomas; and many more! Plus gaming with AniMei Gamer Zone and Gem Blenders.
The Art & Design PTA created FanfaireNYC in 2018 as part of its ongoing aim to provide resources for high-quality art programs that help prepare students for academic success and careers as professional commercial artists. The event offers students access to the best of the entertainment and creative industries to inspire and inform their future careers. Every ticket sold helps student artists with professional supplies, enriching field trips, and essential materials. The one-of-a-kind event brings together professionals, community, and students making arts education accessible to everyone, and creating pure magic.
The United Federation of Teachers named the High School of Art & Design as Manhattan’s 2023-2024 Career and Technical Education (CTE) School of the Year. This distinction was earned by creating career pathways through premier arts and academic education, paid internships, professional certifications, Advanced Placement courses, and early college opportunities.
“The High School of Art & Design is the proud home to NYC’s premier young professional artists. FanfaireNYC is one of the largest opportunities that our students have to garner the support and patronage of our wider NYC creator community. We learn from our peers, mentors and trailblazers who have set the path of success before us. We are grateful to partner with FanfaireNYC’s organizing committee, our PTA and look forward to continuing this great tradition.” says HSAD principal, Maximillian Re-Sugiura.
ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN
The mission of the High School of Art & Design is to inspire, educate, and fully prepare our gifted students to become exceptional artists. Some notable alumni include: Neal Adams, Eric Carr, Amy Heckerling, Eva Hesse, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, and Art Spiegelman. Through a unified curriculum that incorporates a broad spectrum of disciplines integrating art, technology, and academics, students are prepared to go on to college and careers with industry-standard mastery in the major of their choice. With their commitment to promoting strong ethical values and professional demeanor, HSAD fosters a sense of community among students, staff, and parents.
For more information about FanfaireNYC please visit FanfaireNYC.com
Check out our coverage from 2020!
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