It’s beginning to look a lot like Art Week! Art Basel is returning to the shores of Miami Beach with more than 270 exhibitors from 34 countries and territories. Marking its 21st anniversary this year, Art Basel Miami Beach has become one of the biggest art events of the year in the Magic City and the country.
This year, Art Basel Miami Beach is kicking off Friday, December 8 with tons of digital art, dozens of public art installations and plenty of more stunning artworks! We’ve put together this quick guide to Art Basel answering everyone’s most pressing questions about the arts fair and helping you make the most of Art Week in Miami!
What is Art Basel Miami Beach?
Art Basel is a world-renowned art show that holds three major fairs across the world — Basel, Hong Kong and Miami Beach — each year. Art Basel Miami Beach, which was first held in 2002, focuses on contemporary art and each year it features hundreds of galleries from across the world putting them in front of the art world’s most famous curators, museums and collectors. Throughout the years Art Basel has grown in popularity, giving rise to Miami’s Art Week that features tons of satellite exhibits, parties and all other kinds of artistic events.
When is Art Basel?
This year, Art Basel Miami Beach is taking place from Friday, December 8, through to Sunday, December 10. Here are the public opening hours for Art Basel’s main show floor:
- Friday, December 8, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, December 9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, December 10, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Private days — by invitation only — will be held December 6 and 7.
Where is Art Basel?
Art Basel Miami Beach will be taking place at the state-of-the-art Miami Beach Convention Center, located at 1901 Convention Center Drive.
How do I get into Art Basel?
Tickets are required to go into Art Basel’s main showcase and can only be purchased online through the fair’s website (Note: tickets will not be available for purchase on-site). This year, Miami Beach residents will also be able to get discounted tickets at 50% off on November 20 and November 21.
Other satellite events and parties may require purchasing separate tickets or RSVPing prior to your attendance.
What to see at Art Basel Miami Beach
There are tons of things to see in Art Basel Miami Beach and its surroundings. The main fair is comprised of five sections including Galleries which showcases works from leading galleries; Edition featuring print and edition pieces; Nova that displays works created in the last three years; Positions that’s dedicated to emerging artists and Survey, a section showcasing works created before the year 200. The fair will also present 20 large-scale artworks as part of its Meridians sector; 29 curated exhibitions as part of its Kabinett sector; and nine moderated panels that will comprise its renowned Conversations series.
What’s new this year?
The fair will welcome 25 newcomers to the show this year, with three entering directly into the main Galleries sector: Galerie Minsky (Paris), Ortuzar Projects (New York), and Weinstein Gallery (San Francisco). Six galleries will join the fair for the first time in Nova, 9 galleries in Positions and 7 galleries in Survey. Read all about the first-time exhibitors here.
However, the fun doesn’t end there! There are still plenty more events to check out as well, some satellite event highlights include:
SCOPE Miami Beach
Returning to the sands of South Beach, this contemporary art fair features more than 150 contemporary exhibitors over the course of six days. Honored by the City of Miami Beach Mayor’s Office and Commission for its extraordinary cultural impact, SCOPE will run for its 22nd edition December 5 through December 10.
Spectrum Miami & Red Dot Miami
Kick off your Art Basel experience with a bang by visiting this year’s Spectrum Miami and Red Dot Miami – two art fairs under one roof at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center. Returning for a 13th year and 18th year respectively on December 6-10, see the artwork of more than 1,000 artists showcased by over 280 exhibitors. Both shows will cover 150,000 square feet of indoor space, all within walking distance of Wynwood’s coveted restaurants, bars and retail. Click here to learn more.
Pinta Miami Art Fair
Explore the artwork of emerging and established Latin American artists at Pinta Miami for its 17th anniversary. From December 7 to 10, The Hangar in Coconut Grove will be home to the ambitious art gallery split into three sections: Solo-Duo Projects, NEXT and Main Section.
“The Digital Canvas: Unleashing AI in Art” at Sagamore South Beach
This year, the Sagamore South Beach, Miami Beach’s historic art deco hotel, will host an Art Week takeover titled “The Digital Canvas: Unleashing AI in Art,” fusing immersive Web3, AI, art, and Bitcoin. The hotel’s two-story bungalows will be turned into mini galleries curated by Neuman in collaboration with local art galleries. And of course, the week will feature the iconic Sagamore ART Brunch (now in its 22nd edition) on December 9th.
Aqua Art Miami
Back for its 17th edition at the Aqua Hotel on Collins Avenue, Aqua Art is the premier location for art aficionados to gather, discover and procure works by young, emerging and mid-career artists. The unique and incredible art fair will be open to the public from December 6 to 10.
HIVE Wynwood
Returning to Wynwood Marketplace, HIVE Wynwood will kick off Miami Art Week by transforming the venue into a pop-up haven that celebrates gastronomy, culture and creativity for four days (December 7-10). Guests can enjoy culinary delights by talented chefs, music with live performances and DJ sets, and immersive art experiences by renowned artists and creatives throughout the village. This event is free and open to the public.
Find more must-see art experiences coinciding with Art Basel here. For free art, check out our roundup here.