For the past three decades, Art Miami has established itself as an indispensable fair during Miami Art Week. While heavy-hitters such as Art Basel, Design Miami, Scope, and Untitled have monopolized Miami Beach, Art Miami and its sister fair, Context Art Miami, have commanded the streets of midtown for the past nine years. The two have taken place on a centrally located, 6.5-acre lot in midtown, where attendees have enjoyed the widely available culinary and cultural offerings to the north in the Design District and to the southwest in Wynwood.

But for the past three years, the fairs’ founder, Nick Korniloff, had his sights set on a new location for Art Miami and Context: downtown Miami.

Korniloff, who also runs the Aqua Art Miami Fair in Miami Beach, says the fairs’ partnership with midtown nurtured a blossoming relationship among the city, fine art, and an international audience. However, the unrelenting urban development projects in midtown prompted him to move Art Miami and Context. “We kept our eye on where we wanted to position the fair over the last three years as development in midtown created some constraints on our growth, presentation, and accessibility for our visitors,” Korniloff says.

Art Miami’s new home is 1 Herald Plaza, the former site of the Miami Herald, now owned by casino giant the Genting Group. The location, east of Biscayne Boulevard between the Venetian and MacArthur Causeways, offers views of Biscayne Bay and increased transportation options, such as the free Metromover. Taking advantage of the waterfront view, Art Miami will boast a deck and indoor and outdoor cafés.
Korniloff says downtown Miami’s accessibility and visibility persuaded him to make the move. “The accessibility from major roadways in any direction, increased parking, proximity to public transportation and hotels, and major cultural attractions and institutions close by were all attractive features when considering our new location. Location is key, and our new location is unbeatable in terms of proximity to the city and Miami Beach.”

Downtown Miami is notorious for its odious traffic and parking, so the fairs will offer VIP parking in the lots across the street. For those loath pay the steep $250 for VIP access, the Omni Parking Garage will allow self-parking for a daily rate of $20. In addition, the fairs will offer complimentary shuttle bus service from select locations on the mainland and in Miami Beach. And for those who plan to roll in via Uber, Lyft, taxi, or limo, the fairs will have designated areas.

Launched in 1991, Art Miami is looking forward to its 28th edition (the fair had two editions in 2007). “Our new location allows us to enter our 28th edition with a greater number of amenities and an overall better guest/exhibitor experience. Our fair's quality level continues to grow in both ambiance and identity,” Korniloff says. “We have proven over the years that being committed to the City of Miami has provided serious art collectors additional important acquisition opportunities during Art Week in Miami.”

Art Miami and Context Art Miami. Tuesday, December 5, through Sunday, December 10, at One Herald Plaza, Miami; artmiami.com. Tickets cost $35 to $250 via artmiami.com.