Art Basel: When the City Becomes a Stage

With Art Basel, Basel once again became an international meeting point for the art world this year. During the fair week, around 90,000 visitors, along with collectors, galleries, artists, and media representatives from across the globe, traveled to Basel, transforming the city into a global hub for contemporary art for several days.

Since its founding in 1970, Art Basel has evolved from a regional art fair into a leading international platform for modern and contemporary art. Today, it brings together several hundred renowned galleries and is considered one of the most important events in the global art industry. Art Basel is no longer confined to the exhibition halls alone: during Art Week, the entire city of Basel becomes a vibrant center for events and culture.

Art can be felt and seen throughout the city—from public installations and pop-up events to cultural collaborations and special programs in restaurants, hotels, bars, and clubs. Since 2023, Basel Tourism has further strengthened the city’s welcoming atmosphere during Art Week through its “I’m Part of It” initiative, actively involving local businesses, institutions, and residents.

In addition to the main fair in Halls 1 and 2 of the Messe and Congress Center Basel, numerous side events shape the city’s cultural landscape, including Liste Art Fair Basel, VOLTA Art Fair, and the Art Parcours, which brings art installations and interventions into public spaces. This year, a new collaboration between Art Basel, Nordstern, and international artists also attracted attention: the “art.klub” format at Event Halle 1.1 created a new platform at the intersection of art, music, and nightlife culture.

Art Basel’s international growth is reflected in its global presence. In addition to its flagship event in Basel, the fair now has editions in Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris, and, most recently, Qatar. As a result, the brand has developed into a worldwide network for art, culture, and international exchange.

For Basel itself, Art Basel remains a significant economic driver and a flagship event with global appeal. Hotels, restaurants, cultural institutions, and event venues benefit each year from the strong international presence and the wide range of activities surrounding the fair week.

In our interview, Andreas Bicker explains how Art Basel has evolved over the years and what role Basel continues to play within the international network today.