Art Basel's Expansion Amid Leadership Changes and Fair Recoveries

Art Basel's Paris+ fair launched successfully this autumn, marking a turnaround after pandemic challenges and financial struggles for parent company MCH. The takeover of FIAC's Grand Palais venue and date sparked criticism from Art Cologne's chief, who accused Art Basel of 'colonialism'. Marc Spiegler will step down in December, with Noah Horowitz returning from Sotheby's to become CEO. Exhibitor numbers at Art Basel in Basel have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, while the Miami edition is set to be the largest ever. Art Basel Hong Kong saw participation drop to under half of 2019's gallery count due to political volatility and lockdowns. MCH reacquired a stake in Singapore's Art SG fair earlier this year. Rumors suggest plans for a year-round selling platform are in development.