Art Basel Miami Beach is back, as are the many satellite fairs joining it, bringing some 70,000 visitors to town when it opens next week. But since even the most seasoned fair goers may find themselves overwhelmed by the action, we’ve rounded up nearly all the fairs opening in Miami this month, from the main event to its sister fair (Design Basel) to the emerging startups. So keep this handy guide at your side to hit the ground running.
ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH
Tom Friedman, Cocktail Party (2015). Courtesy of Stephen Friedman Gallery & Luhring Augustine Gallery.
What: This year, the marquee fair of the week is bringing 269 international galleries to the convention center and works by more than 4,000 artists. There are 20 newcomers to the fair, including New York’s KARMA gallery, Mariane Ibrahim Gallery from Chicago, and Barro Arte Contemporáneo from Buenos Aires. In addition to the standard sections (Galleries, Nova, Positions, Edition, Kabinett, and Survey) the fair is introducing Meridians, a section curated by Mexico City-based Magali Arriola, filled with outsized installations, performances, large-scale paintings, and more. We’re especially looking forward to Portia Munson’s The Garden from 1996—a woman’s bedroom stuffed-to-the-gills with plush dolls and toys, flowers, textiles, and more—and Tom Friedman’s Cocktail Party, populated by styrofoam characters, who all look like they dressed for a different event.
Where: Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive
When: December 5–8; VIP Opening Thursday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (invitation only); public hours Thursday, 3 p.m.–8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Day ticket: $65; Permanent ticket (all days): $145; Combo ticket for Art Basel + Design Miami: $90
DESIGN MIAMI
Sculptures by Jasmin Anoschkin, courtesy of Holster Burrows Gallery, Los Angeles.
What: For its 15th edition, the design fair is opening in new digs—the recently renovated six-acre Pride Park, which is next to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. The curatorial theme is “Elements: Water,” under the helm of Aric Chen, who presented “Elements: Earth” at the Swiss outpost of the fair earlier in the year. Expect to see futuristic inflatables, re-constructed design fails from the past, and collaborations between brands like Fendi, Patternity, and more.
Where: Convention Center Drive between 18th and 19th streets
When: December 4–8; VIP & press vernissage, Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; public hours Wednesday, 1-8 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 12–8 p.m.; Sunday, 12-6 p.m.
Day ticket: $32; Permanent ticket: $100
NADA MIAMI
Installation view of Georg Karl Pfahler’s Drei Tex / D / II (1964-67). Courtesy of Nino Meier Gallery.
What: Celebrating its 17th year in Miami, NADA returns with 135 exhibitors from 25 countries. There are 27 newcomers including Madrid’s Galeria Alegria, Montréal’s Parisian Laundry, and London’s Gasworks. Keep an eye out for Nino Meier’s booth, where new works by artists including André Butzer, Thomas Wachholz, and Anna Fasshauer will be shown alongside historical post-war German artists Imi Knoebel and Georg Karl Pfahler.
Where: Ice Palace Studios 1 400 North Miami Avenue
When: December 5–8; VIP Preview, Thursday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.; opening preview, 12–2 p.m.; public hours Thursday 2 p.m.–7 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Day ticket: $20; Run of show: $40
UNTITLED MIAMI BEACH
UNTITLED Miami Beach. Courtesy of UNTITLED Miami Beach.
What: The eighth edition of the fair features 126 galleries from all over the world, curated by Omar López-Chahoud, with a special section curated by Jordan Stein. Some highlights to look out for include Addis Fine Art’s debut at the fair, plus Joel Andrianomearisoa, who represented Madagascar at the Venice Biennale, showing with Primo Marella Gallery. Blackpuffin, a Chicago-based group, will collaborate with For Freedoms for an multimedia presentation titled “Looks of Freedom.”
Where: Ocean Drive & 12th Street
When: December 3–8; VIP & Press preview, Tuesday, 1 p.m.–8 p.m.; public hours Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Day ticket: $40
ART MIAMI
A view of Art Miami, overlooking Biscayne Bay in Florida. Courtesy of Art Miami.
What: Celebrating its 30th edition, Art Miami is set to show off wares from more than 250 international galleries for its first edition since the Art Miami Group was sold to the UK events producer Informa Markets. Of special note is an installation at Mark Borghi Gallery (booth AM 328) by artist Chakaia Booker, who will have a solo presentation devoted to her work. The artist uses discarded tires to create elaborate sculptures that reflect on ecological crisis, racial and economic difference, and consumer culture.
Where: One Herald Plaza (NE 14th Street & Biscayne Bay), Miami
When: December 3–8; VIP & press preview, Tuesday, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.; public hours Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Day ticket: $55; Multi-day: $100
CONTEXT ART MIAMI
A view of CONTEXT in Miami, 2018. Courtesy of CONTEXT.
What: The sister fair of Art Miami, CONTEXT will be hosting 96 galleries from 28 countries, putting more of an emphasis on emerging artists and smaller gallery outfits.
Where: The CONTEXT Art Miami Pavilion, One Herald Plaza at NE 14th Street, Miami
When: December 3–8; VIP & press preview, Tuesday, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.; public hours Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Day ticket: $55; Multi-day: $100
SATELLITE ART SHOW MIAMI
Installation view of a booth at Satellite Art Show, New York, in 2019. Courtesy of Satellite.
What: The new kid on the block, the Satellite Art Show is helmed by Brian Andrew Whiteley, Quinn Dukes, and AnnaLiisa Benston, and operates events in New York, Austin, and, of course, Miami. With an emphasis on artist-run programs, emerging platforms, and non-profits, don’t let its small roster of exhibitors fool you into thinking it can’t make a splash.
Where: 2210 NW Miami Court, Miami
When: December 4–8; VIP private party, Wednesday, 6 p.m.–12 a.m.; Thursday & Friday, 6 p.m.–1 a.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m.–1 a.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.–6 p.m.
Day ticket: $15
RED DOT MIAMI | SPECTRUM MIAMI
Installation view of Spectrum Miami. Courtesy of Spectrum.
What: This year’s programs will feature the anticipated return of the fair’s key ingredients: Art Labs, Spotlight Program, Directors’ Picks, and the Discoveries Collection. Expected highlights include the politically charged “Tiny Pricks Project,” a communal art project led by Diana Weymar featuring over 2,020 textile pieces immortalizing statements by Donald Trump and his entourage in needlework.
Where: Mana Wynwood Convention Center, 318 NW 23rd Street, Miami
When: December 4–8; VIP & press preview, Wednesday, 4 p.m.–6 p.m.; Opening night preview 6 p.m.–9 p.m.; public hours Thursday–Saturday, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Day ticket: $25 online/$30 at door; Multi-day: $75 online/ $85 at door
AQUA ART MIAMI
The Aqua Hotel.
What: Aqua is a regionally focused fair that welcomes exhibitors that might otherwise not be exposed to such diverse collectors and visitors. This year, its 15th anniversary, includes 60 international exhibitors, all showing in a historic South Beach hotel.
Where: Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
When: December 4–8; VIP & press preview, Wednesday, 3 p.m.–10 p.m.; public hours Thursday, 12 p.m.–9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Day ticket: $25; Multi-day: $100
SCOPE ART FAIR
Installation view of Kaos Star by Okuda San Miguel. Courtesy of Scope.
What: A fair with an emphasis on “thinking global, working local,” this year SCOPE has a special section dedicated to contemporary Chinese artists. Another new addition to the pavilion this year is Oasis, an interdisciplinary experience-based program with large-scale installations, live performances, and wellness-inspired activities, which gives way to a party after hours. Special contemporary projects this year include work by the street artists HOTTEA and D*Face, large-scale works by Alex Yanes, Okuda San Miguel, and the German artist-duo Quintessenz, among others.
Where: SCOPE Miami Beach Pavilion, 801 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
When: December 3–8; VIP & press preview, Tuesday, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.; public hours Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Day ticket: $40
PINTA MIAMI
Installation view of Arancha Goyeneche’s series “28 rayas,” courtesy of Galeria Gema Llamazares.
What: At its 13th edition, Crossing Cultures is showcasing internationally curated projects with a Latin American emphasis. In the main section, 60 galleries from Latin America, Europe, and the US will be on view; Pinta Platform will give over the space to six individual projects that address “art in new perception models (aesthetic, cosmic, physical, and historical)”; the Countries program, which has an Ibero American focus; and a virtual reality display concieved by Julio and Juan Le Parc, and shown at the Palais de Tokyo earlier this year.
Where: Mana Wynwood, 2217 NW 5th Avenue, Miami
When: Invitation only, Tuesday, December 3, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.; VIP & press preview, December 4, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 12 p.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m.–7 p.m.
Day ticket: $35
PULSE ART FAIR
Charlotte Keates, Tropical Energy (2019). Courtesy of the artist and Arusha Gallery.
What: Need a break from the hustle and bustle of Basel? Pulse is your fair. With hammocks for lounging and cocktails for imbibing, it’s a lower-key atmosphere for checking out artists, this year from 64 exhibitors around the world.
Where: Indian Beach Park, 4601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
When: December 5–8; Thursday, 1 p.m.–7 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Day ticket: $35; Multi-day: $55
PRIZM ART FAIR
Image courtesy of PRIZM Art Fair.
What: Now in its seventh edition, the fair, which focuses on artists from Africa, the African diaspora, and other emerging markets, brings 39 artists to present work for the themed exhibition “Love in the Time of Hysteria,” which, we can probably all agree, is now.
Where: Alfred I. DuPont Building, 169 E Flagler Street, Miami
When: December 2–8; VIP & press preview, Monday, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.; Tuesday, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Day ticket: $15; Multi-day: $50
INK MIAMI
The back courtyard at the Dorchester Suites, where INK Miami is hosted. Courtesy of INK Miami.
What: This IFPDA-hosted event might be small, but it packs a big (pulpy) punch. The fair is celebrating its 14th edition during Miami Art Week, featuring exhibitors from around the world offering every possible iteration of printeresting matter by big names like Jonas Wood and Mickalene Thomas alongside emerging artists.
Where: Suites of Dorchester at 1850 Collins Avenue
When: December 4–8; preview breakfast, Wednesday, 9 a.m.–11 a.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m.– p.m.; Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Admission is free, registration is required