As the city gears up for the 21st edition of Art Basel Miami Beach from December 8 to 10, it's clear that you can enjoy the festivities without deep-diving into your pockets, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Admittance to the swanky event can cost you anywhere from $75 to about $3,500, which might make you want to immediately close your wallet and go home. But according to Dejha Carrington, founder of the art support organization Commissioner, there's a way to smartly navigate through the fair on a budget. "Go to your local papers or do an internet search on free art listings during Miami Art Week. You will be surprised how many different organizations are putting out their favorite things to do," Carrington told NBC Miami. From free events to independent satellite fairs, the thrifty art lover has options aplenty.
Stroll into "No Vacancy, Miami Beach" to see art take over iconic hotels, or check out the INK Miami and AfriKin Art Fairs at no cost—just make sure to RSVP. A partnership with On Art Walks offers free walking tours to sniff out the city's hidden artistic treasures, and Carrington also recommends a more personal approach. "For a more intimate encounter with art, visiting artists in their studios," she explained. The Bakehouse Art Complex, for example, hosts an annual breakfast and studio showcase that simply requires an RSVP on their website.
The Miami Beach Convention Center is where to gravitate, splintered into sections to suit any artistic taste. Whether you're looking to gawk at major works from top galleries, discover emerging talents, or take a trip down memory lane with pre-2000 creations, Art Basel has got you covered. The 'Meridians' area, under the curation of Magalí Arriola, promises to be an intriguing feature, with projects yet to be announced. For those who want to get ahead, there is also the 'Kabinett' section with curated selections, details of which will be made public soon.
With Miami Beach as the buzzing hub for international contemporary art, attendees will enjoy works from 277 galleries. The fair, which is one of just four Art Basels globally—joining brothers in Hong Kong, Paris, and Basel, Switzerland—promises to bring together the crème de la crème of the art scene. If you find yourself in Miami this week, grab yourself a guide and dive into the art world without splashing too much cash. Art Basel might be a playground for the wealthy, but it's not off-limits for the art-hungry on a budget.
