Art Basel Miami Beach 2019

Art Basel Miami Beach is the largest and most prominent contemporary art show in the country if not the continent, and the epicenter of a series of events and fairs all revolving on what has now become the Miami Art Week.

On this first week of December, the art world converges in Miami... the world's top galleries, artists, collectors, curators and art and design enthusiasts from all corners of the globe make an appearance to showcase and relish on the latest in the world of contemporary art.

Art Basel Miami Beach opened for the first time in 2002 on the wings of the prestigious Art Basel in Switzerland providing a platform for the fledgling Latin American art scene and their emerging as well as established artists. Now on its 17th year, it has grown into quite a unique event spawning many other satellite fairs, outdoor exhibitions, private events, parties and grand openings.

Art, design, and fashion launchings are made to coincide with Art Basel week to capitalize on the momentum and the captive market. In the past we have seen the grand opening of the Perez Art Museum at its new gorgeous location in the bayfront during Art Basel week, the Institute of Contemporary Art in the Design District as well as the "re-opening" of the Bass Museum of Art after a two year renovation.

So where is this all taking place? With so much going on, how do you "do Art Basel"? You definitely need an attack plan, because a lot happens and it happens quick. While the main event takes place in Miami Beach, at the Convention Center, satellite fairs and pop up events concentrate throughout South Beach, Miami Beach, Downtown Miami and Wynwood. From gallery exhibitions to oceanfront viewings, doing the Basel circuit comes down to your personal preferences...

The die-hard art enthusiasts will not want to miss the main exhibition at the Convention Center...

Just steps from the Convention Center, interior design afficionados should gravitate towards Design Miami.

If strolling in a breezy courtyard, cocktail in hand and surrounded by inspiring pieces suits you then head to Aqua at SOBE's Aqua Hotel or INK at the Suites of Dorchester.

Art and ocean views? Untitled on the sands of South Beach and the SCOPE Pavillion on Ocean Drive are as close to the surf and sand as you can get, so is Pulse Miami at Indian Beach Park in Miami Beach.

Free Trolleys and shuttles will connect Miami Beach to the mainland, which will make it easy to head towards downtown and some of the up and coming neighborhoods. Street art lovers should check out the ever growing collection of outdoor murals and Banksy type creations at the Wynwood Art District where Art Week special events will be going in full swing. Check out Pinta Miami, Spectrum Miami and Red Dot Miami at Mana Wynwood and the Basel House Mural Festival at RC Cola Plant which is free and open to the public.

A bit overwhelmed with so much going on? Consider one of the highly informative Art Basel and Art Miami Week VIP Tours, they are led by art historians and last about 3 hours. They give you a fantastic introduction to the entire event, no need to figure which fair moved where (fairs do change venues every now and then). The Art Miami Tour is a fantastic way to enjoy Art week, there's even small bites and a bit of bubbly to carry you along... Several packages available for access to different fair tents in Wynwood, Miami Beach, and/or Midtown. Here's more info on the Art Basel and Art Miami Week VIP Tours

What is Where? Art Basel Venues Map

Please note that some fairs have changed location from prior years, specially after some used alternate venues after Hurricane Irma.

Also the locations denoted with * have been designated stops on the FREE Art Week Shuttle or the ** FREE Trolleys

Art Basel *, **	Spectrum	Perez Art Museum **
Art Miami	Design Miami **	Aqua **
NADA Art Fair	Pulse *, **	Scope *, **
Ink Miami **	Satellite	Basel House Mural Festival
Untitled *, **	Faena Festival **

Main Exhibition Hall at the Miami Convention Center

Art Basel's main exhibition hall is at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which last year reopened after a $620 million renovation and expansion, in itself worth the visit to admire the striking undulating facade showcasing over 500 giant aluminum and glass fins reminiscent of an ocean wave rolling onto the beach.

The Convention Center is the "heart" of Art Basel with over 250 hand-picked galleries exhibiting their best. What do you find here? Everything art related: paintings, sculptures, photography, drawings, film, digital art.

The exhibition is split into sectors: Galleries, Nova, Positions, Edition, Meridians, Kabinett, Survey, Magazines and Conversations. For this year's exhibitors click here.

When? Thursday through Sunday December 5 - 8, 2019:

Hours: Thursday - 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday - noon to 8:00 pm
Sunday - noon to 6:00 pm

Where?: The Miami Beach Convention Center at 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

How Much? Day Ticket $65, Permanent Ticket (all 4 days) $145, Students and Seniors 62+ $45. Combination Ticket for Art Basel and Design Miami $90.
Children 12 and under FREE when accompanied by an adult.

The Satellite Fairs and Exhibitions, Official and Unofficial

Part of the "Art Basel Experience" is the series of official and unofficial events taking place at the same time which make up the "Miami Art Week"

Hotel lobbies along the Art Deco District transform into mini-galleries, and beyond the beach, a lot of the action will be at Miami's up-and-coming neighborhoods: the Miami Design District and Mid-Town, the Wynwood Arts District and the Faena District in Miami Beach.

In fact, this is probably the best time to check out these areas which are otherwise quieter during normal times of the year. During Art Basel they will be bustling with activity with large tents, temporary warehouses, make-shift galleries and stores popping up all around. The atmosphere here is quite different from the main venue, specially at Wynwood, reflecting on the very unique and spirited edginess of the alternative exhibitors.

These are some of the most popular "satellite fairs" and events taking place this year during Basel Week. Check their locations in the map below.

Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami

Art Miami is the longest-running art fair in Miami and this year celebrates its 30th anniversary. Before Art Basel arrived on the scene, it used to take place every January but has since moved to December and continues to showcase the best in modern and contemporary art.

What?: Over 125 international art galleries exhibiting modern and contemporary art. Also related and located next door is CONTEXT Art Miami, dedicated to the development and support of emerging and mid-career artists.
The combined efforts of CONTEXT Art Miami and Art Miami provide a unique and alternative opportunity for leading primary dealers and their artists to be marketed and promoted internationally during the most important week for contemporary art in America.

When?: December 3 - 8, 2019
Where?: Downtown Miami at One Herald Plaza at NE 14th Street On Biscayne Bay between the Venetian & MacArthur Causeways
There is a Courtesy shuttle from the fairs to the JW Marriott Marquis and the Perez Art Museum Miami during fair hours.
How much?: One day pass Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami $55, Multi-Day $100, Students $35, VIP, Senior and Group rates available.

Design Miami

Welcome to the world of interior design, furniture, lighting, art objects... The exhibition contains works by pioneering modernists to one-off and limited-edition pieces by cutting edge contemporary designers. Design Miami/ is the global forum for design with annual shows in Miami and Basel.

What?: At the core of the Design Miami/ forum is a marketplace for collectible design, amid which the most reputable international design galleries present curated exhibitions of museum-quality furniture, lighting and objets d'art, attracting the highest level of private and public collectors of historical and contemporary design.
The galleries invited to exhibit in Design Miami/ deal mainly in exceptional design objects from the advent of Modernism (circa 1900) to the present day, with select galleries specializing in outstanding 18th and 19th century antiques.
Where?: Adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center and just a short walk from Art Basel at Meridian Avenue and 19th Street
When?: December 4 - 8, 2019
How much?: One day pass $32, Students and Seniors $27, combinaton pass Art Basel and Design Miami $90, weekly passes available

Aqua Art Miami

What?: Dozens of dynamic young galleries from North and South America, Europe and Asia exhibiting performance art, new media and solo installations in a wonderful setting at the Aqua Hotel in South Beach with spacious exhibition rooms opening onto a breezy intimate courtyard.

Where?: Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Avenue, South Beach accross from the Loews Hotel
When?: December 4 - 8, 2019
How much?: One Day Pass $25, Students and Seniors $20, $100 Multiday includes admission to Art Miami and CONTEXT

Spectrum / Red Dot Miami / Pinta Miami

What?: Mana Wynwood is where contemporary meets extraordinary. This fantastic space will be hosting some high-caliber exhibitions. Spectrum Miami, Red Dot Miami and Pinta Miami are set to showcase innovative new sculpture, painting, photography, music and other works back in Wynwood, Miami's artsiest neighborhood.

Spectrum will feature over the course of this five-day fest an assortment of Art Labs, Art Talks, Meet the Artist sessions, music, entertainment, and other special events.

Red Dot Miami shines the spotlight on 50+ top galleries from around the world, showcasing work from over 300 contemporary artists.

Pinta Miami is a Latin American art fair with a global perspective. This year it features for the first time in Miami, the Colección INELCOM Arte Contemporaneo, one of the most important Corporate Collections in Spain.

Where?: Mana Wynwood at 2217 NW 5th Ave., Miami, FL 33127, there is convenient parking
When?: December 4 - 8, 2019
How much?: Spectrum and Red Dot $25 online $30 at the door, Pinta $30
Spectrum Tickets at Groupon $16
Red Dot Tickets at Groupon $16

Ink

What?: The Fair is unique among Miami's fairs for its focus on modern and contemporary works on paper by internationally renowned artists. The INK Miami Art Fair transforms the historic Suites of the Dorchester hotel into distinctive art galleries, surrounded by a verdant and tranquil courtyard.
The fair has distinguished itself by the quality of its works and exhibitors, as well as its lush open-air courtyard, with surrounding suites transformed into uniquely defined galley spaces.

When?: December 4 - 8, 2019
Where?: Suites of Dorchester, 1850 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33139
How much?: Free!

NADA: New Arts Dealers Alliance

What?: NADA showcases art from the world's youngest and strongest art galleries dealing with emerging Contemporary Art. NADA Miami is the only major American art fair to be produced by a non-profit organization. NADA's renowned art fair vigorously pursues the goals of exploring new or underexposed art that is not typical of the "art establishment."

Where?: Ice Palace Studios at 1400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33136
When?: December 5 - 8, 2019
How much?: $20 single day, $40 run of show, $10 students and seniors

Pulse Miami

What?: Pulse has shows in New York and Los Angeles and is known for offering more affordable and sometimes more accessible artwork than the mega anchor shows. Discover the next great painter, photographer or sculptor about to take the art world by storm!

The Young Collectors Cocktails party on Thursday at PULSE draws a fashionable crowd of art lovers for a night of music, performance and celebration. Between its international exhibitors and dynamic programming, PULSE Miami Beach continues to offer visitors an engaging environment to discover compelling new contemporary art.

Where?: Indian Beach Park, 4601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 33140, next to the Eden Roc Hotel and with direct access from the beach and boardwalk.
Free Art Week Shuttle brings you to Pulse.
When?: December 5 - 8, 2019
How much?: TBA, last year General Admission $25, Students and Seniors $15, Multiple Day and Group passes available. Young Collectors Cocktails plus 4-day pass $50

SCOPE

What?: With the crystal blue waters of the ocean as backdrop, the SCOPE Pavillion right on the sands of South Beach will be again the launching pad for emerging contemporary artists and galleries and music artists as well.

SCOPE Art Show in Miami, New York, and Basel, Switzerland is celebrated as the premier showcase for international emerging contemporary art and multi-disciplinary creative programming. Renowned for its uncanny ability to forecast new visual trends that are embraced globally, SCOPE has garnered extensive critical acclaim with cumulative sales well over one billion dollars and attendance of 1.2 million visitors.

Where?: In the sands of South Beach at Ocean Drive and 8th. SCOPE Pavilion, 801 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
When?: December 3 - 8, 2019
How much?: General Admission $40, VIP and Platinum available

Satellite - TBC

What?: Satellite breaks away from the traditional fair model, it is an alternative art fair that presents new and exciting projects that span the gamut of art, music, performance, installation, new media and tech.

Satellite presents interactive projects by young dealers, artist-run spaces and non-profits. By fostering a range of programming, it is able to offer patrons and collectors with a unique experience where art is at the forefront of creative expression, activism, and curiosity.

Where?: TBA 118 Northwest 14th Street, Miami, FL 33136 next to NADA Art Fair at Ice Palace Studios
When?: December 5 - 8, 2019 TBC
How much?: TBA Day Pass $25

Untitled

What?: Fairly new to the Basel circuit, Untitled, Art innovates the standard fair model by selecting a curatorial team to identify, and curate a selection of galleries, artist-run exhibition spaces, and non-profit institutions and organizations, in dialogue with an architecturally designed venue. Untitled, Miami Beach will take place on the beach at Ocean Drive and 12th Street

Where?: Ocean Drive and 12th Street
When?: December 4 - 8, 2019
How much?: General Admission $40, Seniors and Students $25, Miami Beach Resident $25

Faena Festival 2019 TBA

The Faena Festival is a new annual multidisciplinary event to be held during Miami Art Week.

It provides a new platform to explore ideas in contemporary culture that fosters engagement with the issues that defines us individually and collectively.

Faena Festival brings a new curatorial concept whereby installations and presentations occupy and engage the entire Faena District and extends beyond into public spaces of the city of Miami Beach as an experiential platform.

What?: TBA
Where?: Entire Faena District, the diverse venues of the district will be activated: Faena Forum, Faena Hotel, Faena Theater, etc. including the public areas of the street, sidewalk and beach.
When?: TBA December 3 - 9, 2018
How much?: FREE and open to the public

Basel House Mural Festival

Basel House is where eclectic music, innovative unique vendors, and new-age art installations from across the globe come together to create an un-paralleled experience. In the center of Miami's Wynwood Arts District, across 30,000SF of mural wall space, including projection mapping installations, vendors, and a whole lot more, this FREE event will offer live painting, unique art installations, vert ramp, live music, late-night DJs, mural tours, Saturday Night Art Battle, workshops, an art & lifestyle vendor market place, and food trucks.
Where?: RC Cola Plant in Wynwood at 550 Northwest 24th Street, Miami, FL 33127
When?: December 6 - 8, 2019
How much?: FREE and open to the public, FREE drink with RSVP

Perez Art Museum Miami

What?: PAMM is a year-round treasure trove for contemporary and modern art right in downtown Miami and makes for a perfect Art Basel detour.

One of the showstealers is the fantastic building (designed by Herzog & de Meuron) and fantastic waterfront location in Museum Park in itself worth a visit. The grounds and open spaces, the hanging gardens, the art scattered around Sculpture Garden, and beautiful views of the Biscayne Bay...

Some of the current exhibits during Art Basel and Miami Art Week:

• Jose Carlos Martinat: American Echo Chamber
• Zhao Gang: History Painting
• The Other Side Of Now: Foresight in Contemporary Caribbean Art
• Barbara Wagner & Benjamin de Burca: Estas Vendo Coisas
• What Carried Us Over: Gifts from Gordon W. Bailey
• Teresita Fernandez: Elemental
• George Segal: Abraham's Farewell to Ishmael

Where?: Museum Park in downtown Miami at 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132 between the Arsht Center and the American Airlines Arena

When?: PAMM is open daily 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed Wednesdays, open until 9:00 pm on Thursdays
How much?: General Admission $16, students, youth (7-18) and seniors (62+) $12, free for Museum Members

So there you have it! That's only a portion of what will be going on. There are still the gala parties, vernissages, concerts, private and invitation-only events...

There are many ways to enjoy this spectacular week that is Art Basel Miami Beach, and unless you are itching for some tremendous piece of art, it doesn't have to cost much. So come for the art, the fashion, the people watching... enjoy and get ready to do it again next year!

Art Basel and Art Miami Week VIP Tours

These are small groups led by an art historian who will take you through "off-the-beaten path" exhibits and murals, tour also includes a stop for small bites and sparkling wines at a secret signature gallery.

These are 3-hour tours which of course is not enough to traverse the diversity of exhibits but your guide will provide a "plan of attack" with a map to all other Art Miami Week anchor fairs and art exhibits for you to visit at your leisure later on.

Convenient departures at 10:30 am or 3:00 pm
Provides access to several art tents, you can choose from four different packages
Departs from Shops at Midtown Miami (Parking here is convenient)
Cost: $125 per person

Transportation, Getting Around and Parking

Options for getting around Miami Art Week include the Free Trolleys and Shuttle Buses, Uber, Lyft, Water Taxis and Citibikes.

UberBOAT: For special events like Miami Art Week, Uber offers boat rides that run between mainland Miami and Miami Beach. Fares vary depending on the event, but past rates have started at a flat rate of $35 per ride for groups of up to 6 riders.

This year's stops on the FREE Art Week shuttle which runs every 20 minutes include:

• The Main Art Basel site at the Convention Center
• Pulse Miami Beach at 4525 Collins Avenue
• Scope and Untitled Fairs at Ocean Drive between 9th and 10th Streets

Stops on the Miami Beach FREE Trolley system which includes 4 loops. See Miami Beach Trolley Map here:

• The Main Art Basel site at the Convention Center
• Aqua Art Miami at 1530 Collins Avenue
• Design Miami
• Faena Festival
• Ink
• Pulse
• Scope
• Untitled

The City of Miami FREE Trolleys connect you to the fairs in Wynwood and Downtown Miami.

There are three parking garages/lots convenient to the Miami Beach Convention Center if you are driving. The 17th Street Parking Garage, the Lot on Convention Center Drive and the Garage on 18th and Meridian. See Parking in South Beach for tips and map.

For latest on traffic patterns and transportation as well as the stops on the FREE Art Week Shuttle see https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/

Where to Stay: Art Basel Miami Beach Hotels

Art Basel and Miami Art Week are one of the most sought after weeks to be in Miami. Where to stay will depend largely on your preferences and budget. Hotels in close proximity of the Miami Beach Convention Center where the main Art Basel Exhibition show takes place are in high demand during this time, but with so many events and satellite fairs scattered around Miami and Miami Beach plus a fairly good shuttle / trolley system to get around, your options for convenient accomodation during Art Basel are vast.

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