Each winter, Miami Beach becomes the center of the art world. A star-studded, Super Bowl-sized crowd of around 100,000 people is expected to descend on the town for Art Basel from Dec. 6-8 and the accompanying Miami Art Week from Dec. 2-8.
Art Basel (pronounced Bah-sel) began in 1970 in Basel, Switzerland. When the fair came to Miami Beach in 2002, it heralded a new era for a burgeoning art scene in the greater Miami area, pegging it as an international arts destination. The fair has an estimated economic impact of $400 million to $500 million, economists say, felt by hotels, restaurants, Uber drivers and galleries.
“Art Basel has become sort of this incredible apex moment of the American cultural calendar,” says Bridget Finn, Art Basel Miami Beach director.
Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Art Basel will include 283 galleries representing 38 countries and territories with works ranging from 20th century masters and blue-chip artists to emerging talents. A one-day ticket is $85.