Art Basel 2024- A Summary of Miami's Favorite Event of The Year

By: Samantha Shaffer, Jorge Herrera, & Joaquin Winter

This December, the international annual art fair Art Basel Miami Beach turned the tropical tourist destination into a center of the arts. The renowned event is an opportunity for acclaimed artists to display their works to fellow artists and the purchasing public. Miami Beach’s Art Basel is especially famous for its unmatched collection, including modern artists from all over the world. The gallery itself attracts an average of 80,000 visitors per year and has now been running for 22 years as of 2024. This year, it was held from the 6th through the 8th of December at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The larger gallery includes 286 smaller galleries within, and in total, 38 countries are represented in that space.

Besides Art Basel's impressive lineup of modern and contemporary art, the fair features stately exhibits that showcase haute couture, including state-of-the-art collaborations between artists and luxury fashion brands. Basel is known for highlighting modern fashion trends, but certain designers and fashionistas take advantage of the creative environment to present their new pieces—whether they align with recent trends or not. Around the gallery, the incredible diversity of people and style is overwhelming—but then again, so is the art.

Additionally, the event attracts all sorts of A-list celebrities, from athletes to actors to politicians. Many arrive sponsored by designer brands, representing their clothing and accessories. The art fair also sponsors multiple other events, including mini exhibitions, collaborative initiatives, cocktail gatherings, and exclusive parties.

Modern art is not the only category on display. Among every few galleries is a fine arts presentation, including classical pieces from renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, who used polygons and circles to develop his own style—Cubism, an important sub-style of modern art today. Historical works from the post-impressionist era are selectively placed in several commemorative galleries.

This showcase of varied styles and artists is an important cornerstone of Miami’s December economy. This 22nd installment brought in $500,000,000 for the city’s economy, making it one of the highest-grossing events hosted in Miami in recent years. The event leaves a profound impact on the city, which continues to grow exponentially, and it sets a blueprint for other artistic events—further diversifying the creative scene in Miami.

Iconic Pieces From the 22nd Annual Installment:

(Herrera, 2024)