By J. SCOTT ORR November 27, 2024
MIAMI BEACH – The art world’s annual southern migration begins anew this week as Art Basel descends on South Florida, transforming this subtropical metropolis into a dizzying constellation of contemporary art, where each satellite fair, installation, and soirée functions as its own gravitational center.
From the halls of the Miami Beach Convention Center—where Art Basel’s flagship fair continues to set the global artistic agenda—to the intimate confines of the Aqua Hotel’s bohemian corridors, this year’s programming weaves an intricate tapestry of artistic expression across the city’s varied landscapes. The conventional boundaries between disciplines dissolve as Chance the Rapper’s multi-sensory exhibition at Wynwood Studios converses with Nicholas Galanin’s emerging Spanish galleon at Faena Beach, while Times Square’s electronic pulse finds new rhythm in Miami Beach’s Soundscape Park.
This year’s confluence of events speaks to art’s evolving dialogue with commerce, conservation, and community. The Great Elephant Migration’s hundred-strong herd stands as a monumental reminder of art’s power to advocate, while LVMH Culture House’s showcase of marginalized voices demonstrates the industry’s growing commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives. Meanwhile, established institutions like Cartier reimagine their heritage through a contemporary lens, as their Trinity 100 exhibition merges century-old craftsmanship with modern immersive techniques.
For those navigating this labyrinth of cultural offerings—from the blue-chip galleries at Art Miami to the experimental platforms of the Satellite Art Fair—the week promises both revelation and revolution. As collectors, curators, and creators converge upon this temporal art capital, Miami once again asserts itself as not merely a backdrop for artistic exchange, but an active participant in shaping the global cultural conversation.
Here’s some of what’s happening:
Miami Beach Convention Center, home of Art Basel. Photo courtesy Art Basel.
FAIRS:
Art Basel Miami Beach
Website: artbasel.com/miami-beach
Location: Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach
Dates: December 6-8; VIP previews December 4-5
What it is: The cornerstone of Miami Art Week, featuring premier galleries from around the world. Exclusive VIP previews begin December 4, with public access starting December 6.
Inside last year’s Art Miami. Photo courtesy Art Miami.
Art Miami
Website: artmiami.com
Location: The Art Miami Pavilion, One Herald Plaza (NE 14th Street & Biscayne Bay), Miami
Dates: December 3-8; VIP preview December 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., public 4 p.m.
What it is: Miami’s longest-running contemporary art fair, offering works from both established and emerging artists.
Design Miami
Website: designmiami.com
Location: Convention Center Drive & 19th Street, Miami Beach
Dates: December 3-8; VIP preview, December 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
What it is: The global forum for collectible design, bringing together galleries, collectors, and design enthusiasts.
Scope, Miami Beach. Photo courtesy Scope.
Scope Miami Beach
Website: scope-art.com
Location: Ocean Drive at 10th Street, Miami Beach
Dates: December 4-8; VIP preview December 3, 12-8 p.m.
What it is: Contemporary art fair known for featuring cutting-edge galleries and artists.
UNTITLED Art, Miami Beach
Website: untitledartfairs.com
Location: Ocean Drive at 12th Street, Miami Beach
Dates: December 4-8
What it is: Curated fair focusing on contemporary art with international galleries.
Aqua Art Miami at the Aqua Hotel in Miami Beach. Photo courtesy Aqua Art Miami
Aqua Art Miami
Website: aquaartmiami.com
Location: Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Dates: December 5-8; VIP preview December 4, 3-10 p.m.
What it is: Unique hotel-based fair known for emerging and mid-career artists in an intimate setting.
CONTEXT Art Miami
Website: contextartmiami.com
Location: One Herald Plaza, at NE 14th Street, Miami
Dates: December 3-8; VIP preview December 3, 1-4 p.m.
What it is: Dedicated to the development and reinforcement of emerging and mid-career artists.
NADA Miami Art Fair
Website: newartdealers.org
Location: Ice Palace Studios, 1400 N Miami Ave, Miami
Dates: December 3-7
What it is: New Art Dealers Alliance’s showcase of emerging contemporary art.
Red Dot Miami
Website: redwoodartgroup.com/red-dot-miami
Location: Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd St, Miami
Dates: December 4-8
What it is: An array of curated programs showcasing exhibitors, art industry professionals, and select nonprofits and institutions.
Spectrum Miami
Website: redwoodartgroup.com/spectrum-miami
Location: Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd St, Miami
Dates: December 4-8
What it is: Features well-established artists, galleries, and art publishers.
Pinta Miami
Website: pinta.art
Location: The Hangar in Coconut Grove, 3385 Pan American Dr., Miami
Dates: December 5-8
What it is: Latin American art, featuring modern and contemporary works.
Satellite Art Fair
Website: satellite-show.com
Location: 420 Lincoln Road Mall, Suite 200 and 700, Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Beach
Dates: December 4-8
What it is: Alternative fair known for experimental and innovative presentations.
INK Miami Art Fair
Website: inkartfair.com
Location: Suites of Dorchester, 850 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Dates: December 4-8
What it is: The premier fair for works on paper.
AfriKin Art Fair
Website: afrikin.art
Location: Maison AfriKin at Scott Galvin Community Center, 1600 NE 126th St., North Miami
Dates: December 1-8
What it is: Celebrating African and African diaspora art and culture with extended daily hours until 9 p.m.
EVENTS, TALKS, SCREENINGS. PARTIES AND OTHER STUFF
Book Launch: STREET ART ICONS: The Story of Wynwood Walls
Website: thewynwoodwalls.com
Location: Wynwood Walls, 2516 NW 2nd Ave., Miami
Date: November 29, 12 p.m.
What it is: Jessica Goldman Srebnick, Martha Cooper & Jeffrey Deitch celebrate the launch of STREET ART ICONS: The Story of Wynwood Walls.
Miami Art Week Reception | MOCA
Website: https://www.mocanomi.org/
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 Northeast 125th Street, North Miami
Date: December 3, 8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
What it is: Celebrating MOCA’s fall exhibitions, mingle with the artists, explore great art, and enjoy cocktails and special live performances.
Graffiti Panel Discussion
Website: Museum of Graffiti
Location: Museum of Graffiti, 276 NW 26th Street, Miami
Date: December 4, 1 p.m.
What it is: Panel Discussion entitled Global Hip Hop Culture Born in Miami with the co-founders of the Museum of Graffiti and Rolling Loud, followed by the limited edition release of OG Slick’s MIA Love Gloves.
The Official Miami Art Week Kickoff Party
Website: Miami Art Week
Location: Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables,
Date: Monday December 2, 7-9 p.m.
What it is: Kickoff party located just outside Miami
Times Square Arts: Midnight Moment in Miami Beach
Website: Art Basel
Location: Soundscape Park, 400 17th Street, Miami Beach
Date: December 4, 7-11 p.m.
What it is: Highlights of the Midnight Moment electronic billboards project from Times Square, including video works by Nick Cave, Joan Jonas, Tali Keren and Alex Stradaamongst others.
PAMM Present
Website: PAMM
Location: Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Date: December 4, 8-11 p.m.
What it is: Glittering party featuring the global platform HOMECOMING with Amaarae, DJ Tunez, Dare Balogun and DJ sets by Miami’s SATURNSARii, Kumi, and Lumin. Open to PAMM members, but fair passes should also get you in.
Samsung | Celebrating Women in Art and Technology – Innovation and Expression
Website: Art Basel
Location: Art Basel Miami Beach, Collectors Lounge, 1901 Convention Center Drive
Date: December 4, 4-6 p.m.
What it is: Discussion celebrating the journeys of female artists and innovators who are redefining the intersection of art and technology.
Panel Discussion: Carlos Mare and Jessica Goldman Srebnick
Website: thewynwoodwalls.com
Location: Wynwood Walls. 2516 NW 2nd Ave, Miami
Date: December 4, 9:30-11 a.m.
What it is: An intimate conversation about sculpture and contemporary urban art.
Cey Adams, Slick, Tristan Eaton Panel Discussion
Website: Museum of Graffiti
Location: Museum of Graffiti, 276 NW 26th Street, Miami
Date: December 5, 1 p.m.
What it is: Panel Discussion with three exhibiting artists followed by the the release of Cey Adams Deadstock Album Cover Poster.
Screening & Live Performance | The Birdcage and Drag Queen Show
Website: Art Basel
Location: Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Date: December 5, 6:30-10 pm (Miami Beach)
What it is: A screening of the 1996 classic, The Birdcage, followed by performances from legendary local drag queens Tiffany Fantasia, Missy Miyake Lepaige, and Olga Dantelly.
Panel Discussion: Big Business Embrace of Graffiti
Website: Museum of Graffiti
Location: Museum of Graffiti, 276 NW 26th Street, Miami
Date: December 6, 1 p.m.
What it is: Executives on how they have leaned into graffiti in their business decisions: Richard Dickson, CEO of The Gap, Julia Steyn, and Pierre Charalambides, co-founder of Dolphin Capital.
USA Breakin’ All Star Battle
Website: Museum of Graffiti
Location: Museum of Graffiti, 276 NW 26th Street, Miami
Date: December 6, 3 p.m.
What it is: Break-dancing competition featuring B-Boy Demo, B-Boy Kay, B-Boy Eagle, and B-Girl Vicious Meelicious.
Night Shift, AM Edition
Website: Resy Lounge
Location: Rubell Museum, 1100 NW 23rd Street
Date: December 6, 9-11 a.m.
What it is: American Express and Delta Air Lines pop-up featuring Jon & Vinny’s food and beverages.
Art Basel Miami Beach | The END
Website: Art Basel
Location: Regal South Beach, 1120 Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Beach
Dates: December 7, 7-10 p.m.
What it is: Screening of Joshua Oppenheimer’s musical about a family that survived the end of the world.
Zephyr Book Signing
Website: Museum of Graffiti
Location: Museum of Graffiti, 276 NW 26th Street, Miami
Date: December 7, 3 p.m.
What it is: Book signing by graffiti artist Zephyr followed by Infamous Magazine Release Event featuring Vayne, Cheak, Distort, Grab, Zwon and Grey.
SXM Festival
Website: Destination SXM
Location: Tala Beach, 2341 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
Dates: December 7, 12-11 p.m.
What it is: An immersive tropical paradise with electronic music, mesmerizing performances, and the vibrant decor.
Painting With the Artists
Website: thewynwoodwalls.com
Location: Wynwood Walls, 2516 NW 2nd Ave., Miami
Date: November 30, 2-5 p.m.
What it is: Learn the fundamentals of spray painting from icons like Askew One, Bublegum, DOES, ELLE, and Sophie Mess
Film Series at Wynwood Walls
Website: thewynwoodwalls.com
Location: Wynwood Walls. 2516 NW 2nd Ave, Miami
Dates: November 30, December 1, 7:30–10:30 p.m.
What it is: Screenings of Ron English’s Living in Delusionville (November 30) and Logan Hicks’ The Underbelly Project (December 1). Both screenings will be followed by panel discussions with the directors.
Tribeca Festival
Website: tribecafilm.com/miami
Location: Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Dates: December 4-7
What it is: Four nights of performances featuring Magdalena Bay, Makaya McCraven, Natasha Diggs, and a special appearance by Camila Cabello discussing her fourth album. Includes a screening of “The Birdcage” followed by Palace South Beach drag queens performance.
Writings On The Wall: A Star Line Listening Experience
Website: Miami News Times
Dates: December 3-6
Location: Wynwood Studios, 567 NW 27th St.
What it is: A multi-disciplinary art exhibition hosted by Chance the Rapper featuring unreleased music and visual projections.
The Great Elephant Migration installation on the beach in Miami Beach. Photo courtesy The Great Elephant Migration.
The Great Elephant Migration
Website: https://thegreatelephantmigration.org/
Dates: Throughout the week
Location: Mid-beach near 36th Street
What it is: One hundred life-sized elephant sculptures on display, available for purchase up to $28,000, benefiting conservation groups.
Cartier Trinity 100
Website: Miami Design District
Location: 23 NE 41st St., Miami, FL 33137
Dates: December 4-8
What it is: Immersive exhibition celebrating Cartier’s 100-year-old collection, featuring Jean Cocteau space.
LVMH Culture House
Website: Miami Design District
Location: Paradise Plaza Event Space, 151 NE 41st St., 3rd floor
Dates: December 4-8
What it is: Five-day artistic gallery featuring works from LO, Kandy Lopez, Glenneisha Darkins, and Yuki Ando.
Faena Miami Beach Installation
Website: www.faenaart.org/nicholas-galanin
Location: Faena Beach, 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Date: All week
What it is: Art installation featuring a Spanish galleon emerging from sand by artist Nicholas Galanin.
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