It’s been an action-packed past few weeks, to say the least, but alas, December is upon us, and for anyone in Miami— or truly in the art world— it only means, Art Basel Miami Beach is here. From Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 (by-invitation private viewings are held on Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5), the Miami Beach Convention Center will be home to 286 galleries, spanning 38 countries and territories, with a majority hailing from the Americas—from across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru and Uruguay. This year will also see Romania and Indonesia represented for the first time. It is the first edition under the leadership of director Bridget Finn, which has seen the largest cohort of new exhibitors— 34— in over a decade; the rolling out a smaller booth option for galleries; and the re-location of Meridians— the show’s central sector dedicated to large scale projects that transcend the traditional art fair booth— to more fluidly connect the different sections on the show floor.

Here’s what to expect at the main fair’s sectors this year:

Galleries, the fair’s main sector, where the world’s leading galleries present the highest quality paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photography, videos and digital works, will have 229 art dealers presenting works by 20th- century masters, contemporary blue-chip artists, mid-career practitioners and emerging talents. There are seven first-time participants this year.

There are big changes for Meridians this year— the the show’s sector dedicated to projects that transcend the traditional art fair booth. Firstly, it will be curated for the first time this year by Puerto Rican-born, Berlin-based Yasmil Raymond, former director of Portikus, and rector of the Hochschule für Bildende Künste-Städelschule in Frankfurt, and previous curator of The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Raymond succeeds Magalí Arriola, who oversaw the sector since its introduction in 2019.

Secondly, the sector will re-locate to the south end of the show floor, surrounding the Nova and Positions sectors, which are dedicated to emerging galleries and artists, to better anchor the contemporary art section of the fair.

Meridians will feature 17 projects this year, titled “State of Becoming,” which explore themes ranging from the unexpected contingencies of democracy to the growing anxiety of climate chane on a global scale.

Nova is exclusive to Art Basel Miami Beach, and provides a platform for younger galleries to present work created within the last three years by up to three artists. There will be 21 presentations from 40 artists, including nine newcomers this year.

Positions is dedicated to solo showcases of individual emerging artists— there are 15 this year, eight of which are first time participants— allowing collectors, museum professionals, curators, critics and enthusiasts the opportunity to dive deeper into their works

Survey features projects created before the year 2000 that challenge the conventional art historical canon, with a focus on elevating little-known artistic practices. Many of the presentations shed light on overlooked women artists in the 20th century.

Kabinett provides provides galleries tightly curated presentations displayed within their main booths.