Art Basel cancels flagship Swiss fair slated for September. Miami Beach is still on

COVID-19 has dealt another blow to the prestigious Art Basel family of fairs.

The 2020 edition of flagship Swiss fair Art Basel, originally slated for June but delayed until September because of the pandemic, has now been canceled over health safety concerns. It follows the cancellation earlier this year of Art Basel’s Hong Kong fair, originally set for March 2020.

In a release, Art Basel cited the financial risks to exhibitors and partners, who would need to finalize plans now for booths and shipping.

In addition, the release noted that the Swiss government has yet to finalize rules for large-scale events, and that international travel remains more difficult than in the past.

“We are acutely aware that our galleries are facing unprecedented challenges and economic difficulties, and we had fervently hoped to support the art market’s recovery with a successful fair in September. Unfortunately, the uncertainties that we face remain too high,” said Art Basel Global Director Marc Spiegler via release. “The best way forward for our Basel show is therefore to focus on delivering a fair of the same exceptional international quality that the art world expects from us next June.”

In the interim, he said, Art Basel will continue online gallery showings through June 26 and its upcoming December show in Miami Beach and March 2021 show in Hong Kong.

Art Basel Americas director Noah Horowitz said last month the organizers intend to continue with the Miami Beach fair, with the caveat that “none of us has a crystal ball.”

This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 10:33 AM.