It’s been an action-packed past few weeks, to say the least, but alas, December is upon us, and for anyone in Miami— or truly in the art world— it only means, Art Basel Miami Beach is here. From Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 (by-invitation private viewings are held on Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5), the Miami Beach Convention Center will be home to 286 galleries, spanning 38 countries and territories, with a majority hailing from the Americas—from across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru and Uruguay. This year will also see Romania and Indonesia represented for the first time.

It’s the first edition under the leadership of director Bridget Finn, which has seen the largest cohort of new exhibitors— 34— in over a decade; the rolling out a smaller booth option for galleries; and the re-location of Meridians— the show’s central sector dedicated to large scale projects that transcend the traditional art fair booth— to more fluidly connect the different sections on the show floor.

Trends this year include works that address urgent issues; those by late-career female artists; and themes surrounding social history, oppression, identity, queerness, gender and philanthropy.

Here’s what to expect at the main fair’s sectors this year:

Galleries, the fair’s main sector, where the world’s leading galleries present the highest quality paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photography, videos and digital works, will have 229 art dealers presenting works by 20th- century masters, contemporary blue-chip artists, mid-career practitioners and emerging talents. There are seven first-time participants this year.

There are big changes for Meridians this year— the the show’s sector dedicated to projects that transcend the traditional art fair booth. Firstly, it will be curated for the first time this year by Puerto Rican-born, Berlin-based Yasmil Raymond, former director of Portikus, and rector of the Hochschule für Bildende Künste-Städelschule in Frankfurt, and previous curator of The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Raymond succeeds Magalí Arriola, who oversaw the sector since its introduction in 2019.

Secondly, the sector will re-locate to the south end of the show floor, surrounding the Nova and Positions sectors, which are dedicated to emerging galleries and artists, to better anchor the contemporary art section of the fair.

Meridians will feature 17 projects this year, titled “State of Becoming,” which explore themes ranging from the unexpected contingencies of democracy to the growing anxiety of climate chane on a global scale.

Nova is exclusive to Art Basel Miami Beach, and provides a platform for younger galleries to present work created within the last three years by up to three artists. There will be 21 presentations from 40 artists, including nine newcomers this year.

Positions is dedicated to solo showcases of individual emerging artists— there are 15 this year, eight of which are first time participants— allowing collectors, museum professionals, curators, critics and enthusiasts the opportunity to dive deeper into their works

Survey features projects created before the year 2000 that challenge the conventional art historical canon, with a focus on elevating little-known artistic practices. Many of the presentations shed light on overlooked women artists in the 20th century.

Kabinett provides provides galleries tightly curated presentations displayed within their main booths.

Design Miami

Just across Art Basel is sister fair Design Miami, running from Wednesday, December 4 to Sunday, December 8 (with by-invitation preview on Tuesday, December 3). The fair is inclusive for Art Basel VIP ticket-holders, and there are also combo ticket packages available for sale.

For its 20th edition, the fair is themed “Blue Sky,” as selected by curatorial director Glenn Adamson. Over 45 galleries will present contemporary and historic highlights that demonstrate the power of a ‘blue sky thinking’ approach to design, from the past to the present to the future.

In addition, guests can look forward to installations and brand activations. New York-based immersive experience director and artist Emilie Baltz drew inspiration from the geography of Saratoga Springs to create a multi-sensory environment that captures the emotional essence of the springs, entitled “The Art of Water,” in collaboration with Saratoga Spring Water. Through her work, Baltz interpreted the way water moves through the Saratoga bedrock to crate different flavor profiles. This experience coincides with the launch of the brand’s official Pantone Color: Saratoga Signature Blue.