This week marks the beginning of the 2008 New York art fairs (complete list). The most notable of them, The Armory Show, features 150 of the world’s top contemporary art galleries showcasing the latest in today’s artwork. The show historically dates to 1913, where the first International Art Fair took place in New York’s 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets. The vintage fair marked the first time in history that an American audience caught a glimpse at “Modern” art, which was predominately being made in Europe at the time. The Bridge Art Fair New York (which will take place in Chelsea) is an independent expose that runs in Berlin, London, and Miami simultaneously with the other fairs in those cities. Bridge is popular among up-and-coming art buyers, because they strive to cost-effectively sell the works of both established and emerging artists. Pulse: New York offers an alternative to the typical art fair. While approximately sixty galleries will be exhibiting their best artists and works, a number of performances, installations, multimedia and happenings are also scheduled as part of the “Impulse” segment where the winning artist receives a $1500 cash prize. Frere Independent, a not-for-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide artist awareness has organized two special additions to this year’s fair agenda: DiVA, which is the first fair dedicated to digital and video artwork and Pool Art Fair, a “meeting ground” for collectors, dealers, and the general public to view works by emerging artists who have yet to gain gallery representation which will take place in the rooms of the infamous Hotel Chelsea.

Most of the fair festivities commence on Thursday, March 27th and will continue until Sunday, March 30th.