It’s beginning to look a lot like Art Week! Art Basel is returning to the shores of Miami Beach with more than 280 exhibitors from 38 countries. Marking its 22nd anniversary this year, Art Basel Miami Beach has become one of the biggest art events of the year in the Magic City, as well as the country.
This year, Art Basel is kicking off on Friday, December 6 with tons of sculptures, installations, photographs, films 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. Miami Beach’s fair, which was first held in 2002, focuses on contemporary art and features hundreds of galleries from across the world each year, putting them in front of famous curators, museums and collectors. Throughout the years, Art Basel Miami Beach has grown in popularity, giving rise to Miami’s Art Week which 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 6, to Sunday, December 8. Here are the public opening hours for Art Basel’s main show floor:
- Friday, December 6, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, December 8, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Private days — by invitation only — will be held December 4 and 5.
Where does Art Basel take place?
Art Basel Miami Beach will return to 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. Only a limited amount of tickets are available for each day of the show and it is encouraged that you purchase your tix before the fair.
Miami Beach residents, students, veterans and seniors are able to get reduced day tickets, with proof required for purchase. And this year’s edition of the art fair will see the return of the Conversations program, which is free and open to the public.
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 to see in Art Basel Miami Beach and its surroundings. The main fair is comprised of several sectors including Galleries, which showcases works from leading galleries; Meridians, featuring large-scale projects; Nova, which 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.
What’s new this year?
Directed for the first time by Bridget Finn, the fair will welcome its largest cohort of new exhibitors in over a decade, with 34 galleries joining across all sectors and 31 exhibitors set to present in the main sector for the first time. Furthermore, this year’s Meridians edition, titled ‘State of Becoming,’ will have a new location and curator.
However, the fun doesn’t end there! There are still plenty more events to check out as well, some satellite event highlights include:
Satellite Events during Miami Art Week
Wynwood Walls
The city’s famed outdoor art museum — which has over 80,000 sq. ft. of colorful murals — is hosting some of the coolest events ahead of Basel, such as Painting with the Artists (Nov. 30) and a Film Series (Nov. 30 & Dec. 1). Whether you’re doing graffiti art alongside some of the finest talents or sitting back to enjoy screenings on street art and the visionary artists behind it, you don’t want to miss out! Grab your tickets here.
Tribeca Festival
The Tribeca Festival makes its return to the Miami Beach Bandshell for four nights of music-filled fun, including live performances, special screenings, talks and more. Highlights include a conversation with Miami’s own Camila Cabello, a homecoming show by alternative pop-duo Magdalena Bay, a retrospective screening of Mike Nichols’ “The Birdcage” followed by a live performance by local drag queens and much more. It all goes down December 4-7.
Art Miami
Known as the city’s longest-running contemporary and modern art fair, Art Miami is set to ignite the scene this year with paintings, drawings, design, sculpture, video art, photography, and prints from more than 160 innovative galleries from more than 21 countries. Art Miami will take place December 3-8.
SCOPE Art Show
Returning to the sands of South Beach for its 23rd year, this contemporary art fair features more than 85 international 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 3-8.
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 14th year and 19th year respectively on December 4-8, see the artwork of more than 1,000 artists showcased by over 280 exhibitors. Both shows will cover 150,000 square feet of exhibition space, all within walking distance of Wynwood’s coveted restaurants, bars and retail.
Pinta Miami Art Fair
Explore the artwork of contemporary Latin American and Spanish artists at Pinta Miami for its 17th anniversary. From December 5-8, The Hangar in Coconut Grove will be home to the ambitious art fair split into multiple sections: Main Section, RADAR and NEXT.
HIVE Wynwood
Returning to Wynwood Marketplace, HIVE will kick off Miami Art Week by transforming the venue into a pop-up haven that celebrates gastronomy, culture, technology and creativity for four days (December 5-8). Guests can enjoy special activations and immersive art experiences by artists, as well as handcrafted cocktails and daily mixology presentations. This event is free and open to the public.
“Eternal Creations” at Sagamore South Beach
This year, the Sagamore South Beach, Miami Beach’s historic art deco hotel, will host an Art Week takeover titled “Eternal Creations.” Partnering with BitBasel MOA Miami, and Treasure Investment Corporation, the hotel lobby will showcase seven one-of-a-kind pure silver casts of Michelangelo’s most iconic masterpieces. And, of course, the week will feature the iconic Sagamore ART Brunch (now in its 23rd edition) on December 7th.
Aqua Art Miami
Back for its 18th 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 feature key works by 41 galleries from 12 countries and will open to the public from December 4-8.
No Vacancy, Miami Beach
Every year, the City of Miami Beach celebrates 12 local artists at 12 of its most iconic hotels. Funded in partnership with the Miami Beach Visitors and Convention Authority, this juried contemporary public art competition results in site-specific works that will be on view through December 12. Participating hotels include The Betsy, Avalon Hotel, Esmé Miami Beach, Faena, Kimpton Surfcomber, Royal Palm South Beach and more.