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Fairs connect your art to the global stage
Participating in renowned art fairs such as ARCO and Art Basel offers unparalleled exposure to a vast audience of collectors, critics, journalists, and fellow artists. These events serve as pivotal platforms for networking and elevating an artist’s profile within the international art community.
ARCO has consistently attracted significant attendance, underscoring its prominence in the art world. In its 44th edition in 2025, the fair welcomed over 95,000 visitors, including approximately 40,000 art professionals from around the globe. The event featured 214 galleries from 36 countries, solidifying its status as a key meeting point for connections and exchanges between Europe and Latin America.
Similarly, Art Basel’s 2024 edition in Basel, Switzerland, drew a record 91,000 visitors, up from 82,000 the previous year. The fair showcased 285 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions, reflecting its international appeal and significance.
Beyond the numbers, these fairs are magnets for art critics and journalists who generate extensive media coverage, amplifying the reach and impact of the exhibited works. The presence of influential media personnel increases the likelihood of garnering attention in prominent art publications and news outlets.
The Art Fair FOMO Trap
Not attending the bigger art fairs can feel like missing the party—and in many ways, you are. Fairs offer exposure, sales, and networking, so the fear of being left out is real. But this mindset can quickly spiral into a cycle: in order to stay visible, you sign up for one fair after another, including smaller ones, just to keep your résumé active enough to be considered for the next big one.
Over time, it becomes hard to step back. Once you’re used to the fair circuit, there’s a fear that not showing up means falling behind, losing relevance, or being forgotten by collectors and institutions.
It becomes easy to confuse visibility with success.
But doing every fair isn’t always the smartest move. Instead of chasing every opportunity, it’s more sustainable—and often more effective—to select the right fairs that match your goals, market, and positioning. Some fairs might align better with your artists’ practice or your gallery’s collector base. Others might drain your resources without meaningful returns.
Consistency also matters.
Showing up strategically and regularly at well-chosen fairs builds recognition and trust, whereas hopping between unrelated events can dilute your brand. And don’t forget to plan ahead: successful participation isn’t just about securing a booth. It’s about having the overhead to cover marketing, staff, shipping, insurance, and those inevitable last-minute costs.
Fear Of Missing Out is powerful—but long-term success comes from intentional choices, not reactive ones.
