Miami has long been known as one of the world’s hottest vacation spots, but in recent years, the city has emerged to the forefront of Modern and Contemporary Art in the United States. The City of Miami, Miami Beach and other nearby cities in South Florida has invested in constructing world class art museums such as the Pérez Art Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Bass . Two of the main catalyst for this modern and contemporary art boom is the Miami Art Week & Art Basel Miami Beach.
Miami Art Week
Art Miami is the leading international contemporary and modern art fair that takes place each December during art week at the midtown Miami complex in the renowned Wynwood Arts District. It is one of the most important annual contemporary art events in the United States, attracting more than 82,000 collectors, curators, museum professionals and art enthusiasts from around the globe annually. Entering its 27th edition, Art Miami remains committed to showcasing the most important artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries in collaboration with a selection of the world’s most respected galleries.
Art Basel
An offshoot of the original art fair held in Basel, Switzerland, Miami’s Art Basel capitalizes on its unique geography as the nexus of North America and Latin America. At Art Basel Miami Beach, 500,000 square-feet of exhibition space is divided into seven sectors, Galleries, Nova, Positions, Edition, Kabinett, Public, Film, and Magazines. These sectors allow visitors to navigate the fair and experience the many dimensions of modern and contemporary art. One of the most engaging sectors is Public. Set at Collins Park in collaboration with the Bass Museum of Art since 2011, outdoor sculptures, site specific installations, and performance art are found free and open to the public. The Film sector also presents work in an outdoor venue (in addition to at the Convention Center) at the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center’s SoundScape Park, which boasts a 7,000 square-foot projection wall to showcase video art.
Tips & Need to Know Details
With plenty of ground to cover and drawing crowds upwards 50,000 people, Art Basel can be overwhelming. There are endless satellite fairs, parties, and events you’ll also probably want to pack into your calendar. It’s important to pace yourself so that you can get the most out of the experience without kicking into contemporary art overload.
For first timers, a good starting place is to attend Art Basel and then select one or two other satellite fairs of interest. Don’t plan on attending more than two fairs in a day to keep from wearing yourself out.
Here’s a list of the 2016 Miami Art Week fairs and festivals:
Miami Beach Events
Art Basel Miami Beach
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach
Tickets: $50 day ticket; $105 permanent pass (if purchased online in advance)
More info: artbasel.com
Aqua Art Miami
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach
Tickets: $20 one-day pass; $90 multi-day pass (multi-day pass includes access to Art Miami and Context)
More info: aquaartmiami.com
Design Miami
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Meridian Avenue and 19th Street, Miami Beach Convention Center
Tickets: $25 one-day pass; $65 combo ticket
More info: designmiami.com
Ink Miami Art Fair
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Suites of Dorchester, 1850 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach
Tickets: Admission is free
More info: inkartfair.com
Lingerie Francaise
When: Nov. 28 – Dec. 6, 2016
Where: The Sagamore Hotel, 1671 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach
Tickets: Admission is free
More info: eventbrite.com
NADA Art Fair Miami Beach
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: Deauville Beach Resort, 6701 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach
Tickets: $20 single day; $40 run of show
More info: newartdealers.org
Pulse Miami Beach
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: Indian Beach Park, 4601 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach
Tickets: $25 one-day pass; $40 multi-day pass
More info: pulse-art.com
Scope Miami Beach
When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Scope Pavilion, 801 Ocean Drive on Miami Beach
Tickets: $35 general admission; $100 VIP
More info: scope-art.com
Untitled Art Fair
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Ocean Drive and 12th Street on Miami Beach
Tickets: $30 general admission
More info: art-untitled.com
Miami Project
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: 6625 Indian Creek Drive on Miami Beach
Tickets: $20 one-day pass; $35 multi-day pass
More info: miami-project.com
Fridge Art Fair
When: Dec. 3, 2016
Where: The Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Drive on Miami Beach
Tickets: $10 suggested donation
More info: fridgeartfair.com
Satellite
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: The Parisian, 1510 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach
Tickets: $10
More info: satellite-show.com
X Contemporary
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Nobu Hotel, 4525 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach
Tickets: $20 one-day pass
More info: xcontemporary.com
Mainland Miami Events
Art Miami
When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Art Miami Pavilion, 3101 NE 1st Avenue in Wynwood/Midtown
Tickets: $45 one-day pass; $90 multi-day pass (multi-day pass includes access to Context and Aqua Art Miami)
More info: art-miami.com
Context
When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: The Context/Art Miami Pavilion, 2901 NE First Avenue in Wynwood/Midtown
Tickets: $45 one-day pass; $90 multi-day pass (multi-day pass includes access to Art Miami and Aqua Art Miami)
More info: contextartmiami.com
ArtSpot Miami
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: ArtSpot Miami Tent, 1700 NE 2nd Avenue in the Miami Arts & Entertainment District
Tickets: $25 general admission; $75 five-day pass (includes access to both Spectrum Miami and Red Dot Miami)
More info: artspotmiami.com
Spectrum Miami
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Spectrum Miami Tent, 1700 NE 2nd Avenue in the Miami Arts & Entertainment District
Tickets: $25 general admission; $75 five-day pass (includes access to both ArtSpot Miami and Red Dot Miami)
More info: spectrum-miami.com
Red Dot Miami
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Red Dot Miami Tent, 1700 NE 2nd Avenue in the Miami Arts & Entertainment District
Tickets: $25 general admission; $75 five-day pass (includes access to both ArtSpot Miami and Red Dot Miami)
More info: reddotfair.com
Conception Art Fair
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: 31 NW 23rd Street in Wynwood, Miami
Tickets: $20 General Admission. $40 Three Day Pass
More info: conceptionartfair.com
Superfine Fair – The Fairest Fair
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: Art Miami Pavilion, 56 NE 29th Street in Wynwood/Midtown, Miami
Tickets: $7.77 One Day Pass, $33.33 Multi Day Pass (Free for Superfine! Collectors’ Society Members)
More info: superfine.world
Pinta Miami
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd Street in Wynwood
Tickets: Donation suggested
More info: pintamiami.com
Miami River Art Fair
When: Dec. 1 – 4, 2016
Where: Miami Convention Center, 400 SE Second Ave in Downtown Miami
Tickets: $100 VIP Vernissage
More info: miamiriverartfair.com
Art of Black Miami
When: During Art Basel and year round
Where: Kroma Art Space, 3670 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove, among other locations
Tickets: Prices vary depending on event
More info: miamiandbeaches.com/events/art-of-black
HIVE Pop-up Art Village & Lounge
When: Nov 30. – Dec. 4, 2016
Where: Mana Wynwood, 2250 NW 2nd Avenue in Wynwood
Tickets: Admission is free
More info: hivewynwood.com
Posted By: D. “Alex” Vaughn
Alex Vaughn, is a Broker Associate Realtor on The Vaughn Real Estate Team with Carrington Real Estate Services (US) LLC and specializes in helping first home buyers find condominiums and homes in the Greater Miami area. Alex is a highly experienced agent, offering end-to-end professional service. http://thevaughnrealestategroup.com/member/realtor-d-alex-vaughn/.