This marks the 13th year that Art Basel Miami Beach (Dec. 4-7) brings the art world to Miami. As the most important art show in the United States, Art Basel Miami Beach transforms the city into a giant Mecca of art featuring 250 leading international galleries from 31 different countries. Art Basel Miami Beach has grown through the years and today with the addition Art Fairs located all over Miami, the week has been redubbed Art Week Miami. Last year some 70,000 international visitors wandered the streets of Miami, visited galleries, celebrated art at parties, and more importantly bought art. All of Miami becomes an international art destination with over 4,000 artists participating. Miami’s galleries, museums, hotels and even restaurants sponsor or host art-inspired events making Miami one giant celebration of art. Miami Beach is the starting point for this celebration of art however Art Week events, exhibitions, pop-up galleries, art-related performances and parties are scheduled in almost every neighborhood of Miami.
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AND HOTELS
During Art Week Miami’s leading private collections often open their doors for special tours and events. Some of the most prominent collections include the Rubell Family Collection, Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation, the De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space, the Margulies Collection at the Warehouse and the Dacra Collection located in the Miami Design District. Many of Miami’s hotels are known for their art collections and host art brunches, exhibitions and other events. The Sagamore Hotel, known as the Art Hotel, hosts the annual Art Basel Brunch, a major networking event for artists and gallery owners. The Ritz-Carlton Miami Beach, the W Hotel South Beach, and the Betsy Hotel all have impressive art collections and host events during Art Week. Other hotels such as The Standard, the Delano , SLS South Beach and the James Royal Palm host major art themed parties.
GETTING AROUND
Free shuttle services will be available for Art Week visitors traveling from Miami Beach to Miami. Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Miami, Pulse, NADA, and the Miami River Art Fair offer shuttles. Check websites for shuttle information. Miami offers free trolley transportation and it’s a great way to get around during Art Week. Shuttle info will be available at the information desk at Art Basel Miami Beach.
MIAMI ART FAIRS
Design Miami, one of the week’s most popular fairs, is located in the pavilion directly across the street from Art Basel Miami Beach. Design Miami offers a select program of exhibitions featuring galleries from Europe, the United States and Asia and also includes a series of design talks, installations and satellite events. SCOPE, the largest and most global art fair in the world, brings its 7,000 square foot pavilion to the sands of Miami Beach. This fair, with an outdoor beach lounge, features over 100 exhibitors, 15 Breeder Program galleries, a variety of crated projects, art programs and tours. VH1 will join SCOPE with a presentation of the ultimate combination of music, pop culture and nostalgia.
To find a Where-curated listing of events and of Miami’s Art Fairs click here.
