Armory Arts Week is officially underway. The annual city-wide week of arts events is expected to draw more than 60,000 attendees and generate more than $40 million in economic activity for the city.

Mayor Bloomberg was on hand for the opening of The Armory Show at Piers 92 and 94 in Manhattan on Wednesday. He urged New Yorkers to visit and support local arts organizations.

“It isn’t just for visitors, its for us!” Bloomberg said. “Go out and enjoy it. It may very well be in your neighborhood. You can probably get there by bus or by subway or by walking, or whatever. New York is becoming the cultural capital of the world, and what a shame if we don’t take advantage of it.”     

The Art Show, organized by the Art Dealers Association of America, is the longest-running national art show, and takes place from March 2 to 6 at the Park Avenue Armory. Eight other art fairs are running concurrently with the Armory Show, including Volta NY, Pulse, Scope NY, Verge, Red Dot, Moving Image, Independent, and Fountain.