A NADA concept: The Plebs League published Creative Revolution: A Study of Communist Ergatocracy in 1920 in an attempt to establish an independent educational system entirely free from capitalist ideology. This copy of the book was defaced in 2007 by 6-year-old Fred Evans. Photo courtesy of Ancient and Modern, London

With new art fairs infiltrating nearly every empty building and alleyway of Miami this year, who knows if any of them will make an impression on anyone in the deluge of it all. Chances are, however, that the NADA Art Fair, back in the city for its fifth year, will maintain a sizable crowd throughout the bustling week of arts and festivities.

Since 2002, when Art Basel and Scope were the only art fairs on the scene, the New Art Dealers Alliance has been staging a nonprofit fair featuring emerging, contemporary galleries from all over the world. With each year, it has grown in size and prominence.

“During our first year we were located just a few blocks away from the Basel fair, and so we got a lot of traffic from that,” said Michael Waugh of Momenta, a Brooklyn, N.Y., gallery that has operated a stall at NADA since its inception. “The following year we moved across the bridge and we were a bit worried about attendance. Many more people ended up coming and, since then, it’s just been better and better.”

From Dec. 5 to 9, NADA will once again be located in the Ice Palace Studios in downtown Miami, with a few fresh features for attendees old and new.

“We’re particularly excited about our opening night preview, as it’s our first time doing an opening of this scale,” NADA fair Director Heather Hubbs said of the event, which will feature a live performance by noted artist Ken Kagami and internationally acclaimed, avant-garde band Deerhoof. “This year, there will also be a tent outside where we’ll have various publications and journals, rather than displaying them in the main exhibition space.”

One-third of the 86 exhibitors are new to the fair this year — a crucial part of the fair’s continuing success, Hubbs said.

“It’s the first year that we have exhibitors from Romania, Prague and Istanbul, and we’re looking forward to having them,” said Hubbs. “Several of our exhibitors go on to bigger things and other fairs. I always say that if you want to see what’s going to be showing at Basel in a few years, you’ll find it at NADA right now.”

The fair also provides exposure to up-and-coming artists.

“Just yesterday I was talking to an artist whose work we exhibited last year, and she was telling me that she has met so many people since then who were impressed by her work at NADA, some of whom she has since done work for,” says Waugh. “This fair really opens a lot more doors for many younger artists.”

NADA operates on a co-op model, in which the operating budget is divided up among the various galleries exhibiting there. Furthermore, as a nonprofit with an eye to emerging galleries, as well as free admission, NADA is able to remain commercial without seeming overtly so. There’s less competition and commerce, and more of a relaxed setting in which to enjoy the art.

“For a gallery, it’s a big financial risk to come down to Miami during this week, and while our production costs have increased significantly as the years have gone by, it’s still worth it for us and the majority of our exhibitors,” Hubbs said. “Hotel costs, transportation … everything has increased, but everyone has figured out how to make it work.”

Waugh agrees.

“What I like about NADA is that because it’s focused on young galleries, it’s not in danger of becoming an entrenched institution,” Waugh said. “It always seems fresh and less stuffy. Plus, the fact that it’s a nonprofit fair helps keep it really grounded.”

Once again, shuttles from South Beach will be provided to and from the fair, and even with all of the other fairs in town, Hubbs believes a record number of visitors will pass through NADA’s doors.

“This year will definitely be a test for Miami,” he said. “I’m interested to see what happens, and I think it will all be positive, especially for us as I believe we’ve carved out a unique place for ourselves. We enjoy what we do and we’d like to believe that people recognize that and will continue to come. So long as the galleries continue to apply, we’ll be here year after year.”

The NADA Art Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 8, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Ice Palace, 1400 N. Miami Ave., Miami. For more information, call 305-372-5591 or visit www.newartdealers.org.