Art Basel is a four-day event. This year it takes place from June 19 to 22. The for-profit international fair takes center stage as artists and art lovers converge in several international locations. This annual international art fair takes place in Basel, Miami Beach, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Paris will become another stop on the Art Basel tour.
History of Art Basel
Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner, and Balz Hilt, all from Basel, founded Art Basel in 1970. Art Basel celebrations are held in collaboration with local institutions in each host city to expand and promote the art network. It provides a platform for galleries to showcase and sell art pieces.
Its inaugural year saw the Basel fair play host to over 90 galleries from 10 countries showcasing their talents to a crowd of about 16,000. 30 art publishers were involved in the celebration as well. In 1975, the number of exhibitors rose to 300 just five years after it was established. By then, the fair welcomed more than 37,000 visitors to view art on display by galleries from over 21 countries.
Under the guidance of Sam Keller, the first Art Basel Miami Beach was held in 2002. The 2019 Art Basel Miami Beach show featured 269 galleries from 29 countries, spearheaded by Noah Horowitz. The show drew people over the course of five days, including private collectors and so many more from several museums and institutions.
M.C.H. Group, Angus Montgomery Arts, and Tim Etchells, an events organizer, founded Art HK in 2008, which sparked investor interest in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center was purchased by M.C.H. in 2013 to create Art Basel Hong Kong.
Although Art Basel was established to allow local galleries to reach their target market and improve sales, it has grown beyond its early beginnings. The annual art fair has since evolved and now attracts scores of art students and spectators from the global art scene.
Art Basel timeline
Paint is used to create drawings for the first time on cave walls.
Jan van Eyck, a Flemish painter, receives credit for inventing the oil painting technique.
In New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, America's most famous and diversified art museum, opens to the public.
On January 1, William Reeves establishes the first enterprise to mass-produce watercolor palettes.
Art Basel FAQs
What is Art Basel's purpose?
They want to connect collectors, galleries, and artists, and they want to be a driving factor behind galleries and artists’ careers. The aim is to bridge the gap between art creators and buyers.
Why is Art Basel so well known?
It provided the ideal platform for American artists to exhibit their work in Europe and, more crucially, to sell their work to this rich market.
Who was responsible for Art Basel?
The inaugural Art Basel in Switzerland was the idea of a trio of Swiss gallerists — Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner, and Balz Hilt whose vision brought together the artists they represented.
Art Basel Activities
Brush up your knowledge of art history
Mark this holiday by celebrating the contributions of art masters. From Vincent van Gogh to Picasso, explore their works and achievements to mark Art Basel.
Patronize local artists
Change starts in your community. Support local artists in your area by patronizing or promoting their work.
Attend the Art Basel events
Art comes in many forms, so there is something for everyone. Look up the Art Basel schedule and visit as many locations as you can!
5 Facts About Art Basel That Will Blow Your Mind
Olympic-level event
Art Basel is among the largest art events across the globe and is often nicknamed the art world’s Olympics.
Miami beach
In 2002, Miami Beach became a permanent location for Art Basel.
V.V.I.P.
Applicants for exhibitions at Art Basel have to endure a one-week selection process.
It lasts the entire year
The Art Basel Cities project was established in 2016 to organize cultural programs and events throughout the year.
Shoot for the moon
Art Basel is an all-encompassing art event that not only provides a platform for worldwide artists to display their work but also does not limit the type of artwork that can be displayed.
Why We Love Art Basel
It is a medium of communication
Art can convey information, impact our daily lives, make a social statement, and be appreciated for its aesthetic value. Go find some art for yourself and see what it communicates to you.
It helps to promote local artists
The Initiatives of Art Basel aim to create one-of-a-kind artist-led experiences and strengthen local art scenes. Promote your local art scene on this holiday.
To encourage the creation of art
It also helps to encourage the creation, dissemination, and appreciation of art. Art students attend events in droves and gain inspiration for their professional pursuits.
Art Basel dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | June 16 | Thursday |
2023 | June 15 | Thursday |
2024 | June 13 | Thursday |
2025 | June 19 | Thursday |
2026 | June 18 | Thursday |