Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition
Throughout the year, the Brooklyn Working Artists Coalition displays well-priced works from its Brooklyn-based membership. Even when the art is not notable, the harborside views make a visit to BWAC's Red Hook exhibition space worthwhile.
499 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn; 718-596-2507; bwac.org.

Emerging Arts
As its name suggests, Emerging Arts throws its weight behind new and unknown artists, often giving them their first gallery shows. A few times a year, the organization puts together group exhibitions of 30 to 40 young artists at various locations throughout the city.
emergingarts.com

Artists Space
Though Artists Space focuses primarily on emerging artists and places little emphasis on the selling of art, its most popular event is an outright sell-athon. The annual pre-Christmas benefit, "Night of a Thousand Drawings," features works on paper from both well-known and amateur artists—anyone, regardless of talent, is welcome to submit a piece for sale. Drawings are sold by size ($30-$50) on a first-come, first-served basis.
38 Greene St., 3rd fl., at Grand St.; 212-226-3970; artistsspace.org.

student shows
There may be no better place to discover new talent—and get a hold of great art buys—than the end-of-semester thesis shows put on by the city's top art schools. Most colleges and universities with MFA programs introduce their graduates to the art market with twice yearly coming out parties, wherein collectors get to peruse curated works by mostly unknown artists. New York's two biggest (and some say best) MFA programs are at Hunter College and the Pratt Institute, which together graduate more than 300 artists a year. Other thesis programs with end-of-semester shows include Brooklyn College, City College, Columbia University, New York Academy of Art, NYU, and Parsons School of Design and the School of Visual Arts.