For 25 years, InLiquid’s Art for the Cash Poor (AFTCP) has been a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s arts community. What began as a tongue-in-cheek response to the exclusivity of the art world’s gallery fairs has blossomed into a beloved annual event, with thousands of Philadelphians flocking to N. American Street to celebrate our shared visual arts culture, meet artists, and BUY ART!
Built on a foundational ethos of accessibility, the festival is for everyone - it’s where an emerging artist can set up their booth next to a veteran of the scene, each with the same opportunity to meet with new and established clientele. Art for the Cash Poor is where an established collector can get a great deal on artwork from an artist they’ve been pursuing for years, if it’s not already taken by a first-time buyer looking to start their collection.
“Art for the Cash Poor was an early physical manifestation of InLiquid,” says Rachel Zimmerman, InLiquid’s Executive Director who founded the organization in 1999 as a digital platform to showcase and connect Philadelphia’s artists with opportunity. “We had built this wide network. It was a community of artists who were looking to sell work, meet prospective buyers, and who were having a difficult time getting their work into galleries. Art for the Cash Poor seemed like a no-brainer. We thought ‘let’s get all the artists in one place, and have them price their work accessibly to attract a wider audience.' We quickly realized that the festival uniquely benefits both buyer and seller - providing customers with a great opportunity to buy artwork for inexpensive prices and providing artists with a great way to build connections.”
“We’ve developed a strong community of vendors over the years,” says Sara Zimmerman, InLiquid’s associate director who has overseen AFTCP’s planning and operations since 2002. “Artists come from out of town to participate. Some artists see it as a great way to build and maintain a customer base in Philly, some artists see it as a great way to clear out their studio of old artwork, and others just come for the tradition and the good time.”
The fair is designed with artists in mind. All sales proceeds go to the artists, giving customers the chance to find new artwork and directly support the artists who they buy from.
“Each piece of art I have on my wall represents a relationship I have with an artist as well as a chapter of my life,” remarked collector Liz Roan in a 2021 interview about the festival, “One thing that’s unique about Art for the Cash Poor is that when you buy from an artist, you directly supporting the local economy and the arts and culture of your city.”
Throughout a quarter-century of AFTCP, there have been a variety of different iterations, locations, and experiences of the fair. This year, in 2025, we’re taking the festival back to its roots - hosting vendors both inside and outside the Crane Arts Building for a full city block of arts experiences!
We can’t wait to see you on Saturday, June 14 from 12-6 pm to celebrate our arts culture and carry on this storied Philadelphia tradition.
