Art Basel Cancels 2020 Miami Beach Show Amid Coronavirus Concerns

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Citing the coronavirus pandemic, organizers of Art Basel announced Wednesday they are canceling this year's four-day art show at the Miami Beach Convention Center and focusing on the 2021 event.

Last year's event drew 81,000 visitors from 76 countries and territories and included leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The show featured significant works from the masters of modern and contemporary art, as well as the new generation of emerging stars.

But most people will remember the 2019 edition of Art Basel for the $120,000 Art Basel Banana, which spawned endless internet memes (just type #ArtBaselBanana on Twitter to see for yourself) and worldwide press coverage over what was nothing more than a banana duct taped to a canvas. The gallery reportedly sold two of the banana works by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan.

"‘It is with great regret and disappointment that we announce the cancellation of our December show in Miami Beach, as we know how crucial our show is for our galleries, as well as for the greater Miami arts community and economy," said Noah Horowitz, director of the Americas for Art Basel.

"We thank everyone who shared their perspectives and insights with us over the past months and weeks and look forward to returning to Miami Beach next year to deliver a successful show," Horowitz said.

Considered one of the most important cultural events in the Miami area, Art Basel attracts thousands of well-heeled visitors, socialites and celebrities from around the world. They spend money in local hotels, restaurants and other businesses while also enhancing Miami's reputation as an international destination.

In addition to the main show at the Miami Beach Convention Center each year, there are numerous pop-up events around Art Basel that are spread throughout the Miami Area.

The show gives artists one of the largest world stages to display their paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, films and editioned works.

Many more people attend satellite events than visit the convention center, which recently underwent a $615 million expansion and upgrade in part to better accommodate Art Basel.

Miami Beach officials compare the economic impact of Art Basel to hosting the Super Bowl every year with an estimated $400 to $500 million in related economic impact.

This year's event was scheduled to take place between Dec. 3 and Dec. 6 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

"Art Basel’s digital initiatives will continue this fall with two individual thematic editions of its Online Viewing Rooms: ‘OVR:2020’, dedicated to artworks produced during 2020 and running from September 23 to 26, and ‘OVR:20c’, presenting works created between 1900 and 1999 from Oct. 28 to 31," organizers said.

"These digital events will be followed in December by Online Viewing Rooms that will be open to all galleries accepted to the 2020 edition of Art Basel in Miami Beach," organizers added.

Galleries selected for the Miami Beach 2020 event will not be charged any participation or booth fees and their application fees will be rolled over to 2021.

Miami Beach signed a five-year deal to host Art Basel for at least five years starting with last year's show, the 18th annual event.