As the vibrant hues of spring begin to paint the world anew, the global art scene is abuzz with excitement for the season’s premier contemporary art fairs. From the bustling streets of New York to the cultural epicenters of Taipei and Basel, these fairs offer a captivating glimpse into the pulse of contemporary artistry. 

Whether you’re an avid art enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these four art fairs promise an unforgettable journey through the dynamic world of contemporary art. With highlights such as Art Basel, possibly the most iconic art fair in the world, or Frieze New York, the epicenter of innovation, I am sure your senses will be stirred and your imagination ignited as you explore these cutting-edge events. 

So, if you are already feeling the blues after all the excitement of the Venice Biennale opening week, here are the four must-visit contemporary art fairs for this spring 2024, to cheer you up! 

art fairs spring 2024 - Frieze New York
Massimo De Carlo, Frieze New York 2023
Photo by Casey Kelbaugh / CKA. Courtesy of CKA and Frieze.

1. Frieze New York (May 1-5, 2024)

Kicking off the 2024 spring art fairs circuit with unparalleled flair, Frieze New York stands as a beacon of artistic excellence. Set against the iconic backdrop of The Shed, this renowned fair brings together leading galleries, artists, and collectors from around the globe. From groundbreaking installations to thought-provoking performances, Frieze New York offers an immersive experience that celebrates the diversity of contemporary art in all its forms.

For the 2024 edition, galleries can showcase ambitious solo, group, and themed presentations by pioneering artists, offering the opportunity to not only discover up-and-coming talent but also engage with some of art history’s most important figures. Following last year’s sold-out edition, the fair will return to Manhattan in May, while also running the premiered online Frieze Viewing Room to complement the in-person experience (and to offer all of us living far from NYC a glimpse into this incredible event). 

Frieze New York 
May 1-5, 2024
The Shed – 545 West 30th Street, New York City, NY, USA
Info, tickets, and opening hours: frieze.com

art fairs spring 2024 - Taipei Dangdai
Photo courtesy Taipei Dangdai

2. Taipei Dangdai (May 10-12, 2024)

Flying halfway across the globe, the second not-to-be-missed art fair for this spring 2024 is definitely Taipei Dangdai, the leading contemporary art fair in Taiwan and one of the most interesting platforms in Asia. Set in the dynamic cultural landscape of Taipei, Taipei Dangdai showcases the region’s burgeoning artistic talent alongside established international artists. From cutting-edge multimedia works to traditional mediums reimagined, visitors are treated to a captivating journey through the vibrant tapestry of contemporary Asian artistry and beyond. 

For the 2024 edition, Taipei Dangdai returns to the Nangang Exhibition Center with 78 galleries from all around the world, showcasing hundreds of international artists, from emerging talent to the most sought-after established contemporary artists. This year, the fair also presents a curated program of installations, talks, and workshops, as well as a new exhibition co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, “Before Thunders: An Exhibition of Taiwanese Artists”.

Taipei Dangdai
May 10-12, 2024
Nangang Exhibition Center, No. 1, Jingmao 2nd Rd, Taipei City, Taiwan
Info, tickets, and opening hours: taipeidangdai.com

Photo courtesy ARCOlisboa

3. ARCOlisboa (May 23-26, 2024)

From Asia to Europe and beyond, the third stop for our spring 2024 art fairs round-up is Lisbon with ARCOlisboa. Nestled amidst the historic charm of the Portuguese capital, ARCOlisboa emerges as a cultural hub and a great platform to discover new artists. With its focus on contemporary art from Portugal, Africa, Latin America, and beyond, ARCOlisboa offers a unique perspective on the global art landscape.

For the 2024 edition, ARCOlisboa returns to the Cordoaria Nacional, with 82 galleries from 14 countries. The fair will be organized in sections: the General Programme will present 59 galleries with solo and group presentations, while the OPENING Lisboa section will showcase a selection of 16 galleries, exploring new artistic languages and spaces. Lastly, the “As Formas do Oceano (The Shapes of the Ocean)” section, made up of 7 galleries, will feature projects that focus on relations between Africa and the African diaspora and other latitudes.

The fair is a great opportunity to visit Lisbon and soak in the magic vibes of this city. Enjoyable year-round, in Spring Lisbon is absolutely stunning, with the purple jacaranda trees and the fresh ocean breeze. And ARCOlisboa is the perfect complement, thanks to the many collateral events taking place all around the city. 

ARCOlisboa 
May 23-26, 2024
Cordoaria Nacional, Av. da Índia, 1300-598, Lisbon, Portugal
Info, tickets, and opening hours: ifema.es

4. Art Basel (June 13-16, 2024)

Rounding out the 2024 spring art fairs circuit with unmatched prestige and sophistication, the last stop is clearly Art Basel. The fair remains the gold standard for contemporary art events worldwide and the best occasion to see everything that is trending right now in the art world. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Basel, Switzerland, this art fair is the peak of each season, and the only fair that is mandatory to visit at least once in an art lover’s lifetime. With over 200 leading galleries and more than 4,000 artists from five continents, Art Basel is not only a fair, but a great occasion for the whole city to showcase the best it has to offer. Between collateral events, smaller fairs, and many high-quality exhibitions taking place concurrently in and around Basel, Art Basel creates a region-wide art week that is guaranteed to amaze even the most skeptic art lover. 

For the 2024 edition, Art Basel will once again take place at Messe Basel, where the main section of the art fair will see the presence of 285 premier galleries from 40 countries and territories, between the Main Section, Statements (dedicated to emerging artists), Feature (for historical figures), and Edition (for prints and editioned works). On top of that, this year the Parcours show will evolve into a public art exhibition unfolding in close vicinity to Messe Basel on Clarastrasse. Curated for the first time by Stefanie Hessler, Parcours aims to become a curated exhibition that will animate empty storefronts, a hotel, operational shops, and other urban spaces with mostly site-specific projects. Lastly, the fair will also expand its presence within the city, launching a partnership with the Hotel Merian as a venue for artistic events and showcases.

With so much to discover, the 2024 edition of Art Basel is expected to be one of the most interesting yet and the best way to close spring in style. 

Art Basel 
June 13-16, 2024
Messe Basel, Messeplatz 10, Basel, Switzerland
Info, tickets, and opening hours: artbasel.com

Cover image Masako Miki (Ryan Lee, Cult Aimee Friberg) | Courtesy of Art Basel