New York Gallery Week, a new initiative organized collectively by 50 Manhattan-based contemporary art galleries and 7 not-for- profits – spanning Chelsea, SoHo, the Lower East Side/Bowery, the Upper East Side, and 57th Street – will launch its first annual program this weekend.

With a shared desire to refocus the art world’s attention toward the city’s longstanding exceptional gallery programming, a group of emerging and established galleries have come together with a mission to put the spotlight back on the galleries and the artists.

At its core, NYGW 2010 is a presentation of over 50 solo gallery exhibitions, along with an unprecedented concentration of scores of free events and programs, the majority taking place inside the galleries themselves.

Head to NEW YORK GALLERY WEEK to view the participating galleries and to view the events and programming schedule. CLICK HERE to download the schedule.