Art Basel 2025: 290 Galleries, New Initiatives, and Market Growth

The 2025 edition of Art Basel in Switzerland features 290 galleries from 43 countries, including 21 first-time participants. The global art market grew 4% to $59.6 billion, according to the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. Baby Boomers lead in average spending on art and antiques, while Millennials and Gen Z spend more on luxury goods and design. The fair introduces 'Basel Exclusive,' a new initiative requiring galleries in the main sector to reserve significant works for the VIP opening, excluding them from previews and online viewing rooms. Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter collaborates with artist Julian Charrière on an immersive installation opposite the fairgrounds, activated with a party on Saturday. Theaster Gates presents 'A Libation in Uncertain Times' (2024) in the Unlimited sector, featuring over 1000 sake bottles on traditional wooden shelves. The selection committee comprises seven gallerists: Sadie Coles (London), Peter Freeman (New York/Paris), Atsuko Ninagawa (Tokyo), Franck Prazan (Paris), Prateek Raja (Kolkata), Niccolò Sprovieri (London), and Bärbel Trautwein (Berlin).