Miami Art Basel 2021

It’s been a long two years

Art Basel Miami will make its first in-person return since 2019, the last time I was able to post about it, marking nearly two years without the highly-loved affair. Since its launch in 2002, Art Basel Miami has become North America's premier art fair and, subsequently, the most anticipated social event of Florida's fall calendar. In celebration of the event's return, the organizers have graciously extended their calendar, moving the VIP and press back one day to allow more time for public access to the nearly 253 galleries from across the globe, with works curated by the industry's top curators and museums. 

Dust off your sandals, grab a checklist or two, and get ready for complete submersion. 

What are Art Basel and Miami Art Week? 

Art Basel Miami is the North American installment of the global Basel art fair series, which hops from Basel, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Miami. The week is a major draw for collectors, curators, artists, and galleries—along with hundreds of celebrities, parties, and satellite art fairs. The week itself has since transitioned into "Miami Art Week." 

Art Basel comprises five sectors of art. Galleries (which represent artist like agents) showcase their inventory in carefully curated booths within the fairs themselves, Edition which covers reprints and editioned pieces of art, Nova which covers art created in the past three years, Positions which showcases emerging artists new to the scene, and Survey which highlights works created before 2000. 

When are Art Basel and Miami Art Week?

 November 30 through December 4, 2021.

Where is Art Basel Miami held?

Art Basel Miami Beach 2021 takes place at the new and very much improved Miami Beach Convention Center. Guided tours of Art Basel are organized in partnership with ArtNexus and available daily during show hours.

Satellite Shows

Art Miami

WHAT: Miami's original art fair, and the second most attended art fair in the world, the fair is celebrating its 31st edition with over 140 galleries, 60 cities, and 20 countries. Art Miami will feature all the heavy hitters (Haring, Picasso, etc.) from blue-chip dealers. 

WHERE: One Herald Plaza, NE 14th St.

WHEN: November 30, 2021–December 5, 2021

Scope Miami

WHAT: With pitstops in New York, Switzerland, and Miami, the 20th-annual Scope fair focuses on contemporary art, new artists, and emerging mediums. This year, the beach pavilion will have a range of experimental installations with large-scale works, yoga sessions, panel discussions, and musical performances. When the sun goes down, Scope turns into a full-fledged nightclub with a string of DJs set to perform. NFT art will be available for VIP ticket holders from over 125 galleries underneath the tent. Balmain is also hosting an activation at Scope Miami Beach, Balmain x (Red) Present Saype, and unveiling a fresco by the artist in honor of World AIDS Day on December 1.

WHERE: 801 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.

WHEN: November 30, 2021–December 5, 2021

Design Miami

WHAT: Design Miami returns to the historic Pride Park for its 17th year examining themes of Humanity, and how design can improve our lives. The inclusive 20 galleries and 16 curatorial exhibitions bring together a diverse set of backgrounds often overlooked in utility-based art. Programming includes artist and designer talks, 3D tours, and a floor of work all available for purchase.  Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Germane Barnes installation, and to catch the Rick Owens collaboration with the illustrious Carpenters Workshop Gallery. 

WHERE: Convention Center Drive and 19th St, Miami Beach. 

WHEN: November 30, 2021-December 5, 2021

Untitled Art Miami Beach

In its tenth year, Untitled Art Miami Beach focuses on the Nest sector, highlighting emerging artists, collectives, and non-profits. At the helm are founder Jeff Lawson and creative director Omar López-Chahoud. The show brings together 145 international galleries providing the newest waves of artists on the rise. 

WHERE: Ocean Drive and 12th Street, Miami Beach

WHEN: November 29, 2021-December 4, 2021

Perez Museum

WHAT: The storied institution has leaned into all things digital, with a virtual NFT exhibition NFTs The Next 500 Years along with in-person tours of its permanent collection. Daily tours are first-come, first-serve (you better be first, Perez is a can't miss institution), from 12 p.m. -3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Perez's Basel highlight is a range of illuminating panels, with programming including talks on the Afro Diaspora, and an artist led-tour with Marco Brambilla, which will be the educational highlight of Miami Art Week. Tribeca Festival 2021 Selection Breonna's Garden will be the most heartbreaking show of the week. Breonna's Garden will be held on Sunday, December 5th at 2p.m. 

WHERE: 1103 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 

WHEN: November 29, 2021-December 5, 2021

TICKETS: Free admission during Art Week

The Bass Museum

WHAT: The Bass Museum consistently shows up for Art Basel with the most anticipated collaborations. This year its Snapchat x Alex Israel exhibit will draw a crowd, while the Israeli artist Naama Tsabaar exhibit is bound to please. The Museum's permanent collection will also be available for viewing, during the week. Do not miss it. 

WHERE: 1103 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 

WHEN: November 29, 2021-December 5, 2021

Rubell Museum

WHAT: Beginning November 29, The Rubell Museum is opening its doors to the long-anticipated resident art shows including Vogue favorite Kennedy Yanko, Otis Kwame Kye Quaiacoe, and Genesis Tramaine. The nearly 46,000 square foot Museum has also curated seven new installations from artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Yoshitomo Nara, Reginald O'Neal, and Natalie Ball. 

WHERE: 1100 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 

WHEN: November 29, 2021-December 5, 2021