Art Basel is pleased to announce the appointment of Bridget Finn as the Director of its Miami Beach show. Taking on this pivotal role, Finn will guide the direction of the Miami Beach edition, driving innovation, overseeing the fair's organization, and expanding Art Basel's network of galleries, collectors, and artists across the Americas. Working in close collaboration with Miami and South Florida's esteemed museums, institutions, and cultural partners, Finn's focus will be to reinforce Art Basel's standing as the foremost Modern and contemporary art fair in the Americas, serving as a global platform for the exploration of new artistic practices and perspectives from the region. Finn is set to commence her directorship in September 2023 and will be based in New York. Reporting to Vincenzo de Bellis, Director of Fairs and Exhibition Platforms, she will work closely with Maureen Bruckmayr, Head of Business and Management Americas.
Bridget Finn
With a wealth of experience in the gallery ecosystem, Finn's background includes directing the contemporary art program at Mitchell-Innes & Nash from 2013 to 2017, as well as holding various roles at Anton Kern Gallery in New York from 2007 to 2010. As part of a gallerist collective, she co-founded the collaborative curatorial project space Cleopatra's, operating from 2008 to 2018 in New York and later in Berlin, where she worked closely with numerous artists and cultural producers over a decade. Previously, she served as the Director of Strategic Planning & Projects at Independent Curators International (ICI) from 2010 to 2013, where she spearheaded unique projects and partnerships to bring contemporary art programs to diverse audiences in collaboration with leading galleries, museums, auctions houses, corporations, and philanthropic organizations.
Bringing an intimate understanding of the North and South American art markets, Finn possesses an extensive network of galleries, collectors, artists, curators, and institutional leaders across the region, both within and beyond the traditional art hubs in the U.S. As a Detroit native, Finn co-founded the city-wide exhibition platform Art Mile Detroit in 2020, supporting numerous local galleries, institutional non-profits, museums, and artist-run spaces. In 2022, she established FLOURISH, a platform that utilizes art to drive positive transformations for children affected by rare diseases. Her involvement extends to serving on the Board of Trustees of Independent Curators International (ICI) and being active on the Advisory Committee of the Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC).
"Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, expressed excitement about Finn's appointment, stating, "We are thrilled with Bridget's appointment and could not have found a better fit to lead our Miami Beach fair. She is deeply committed to Art Basel's mission and strategic direction, and to our contributions in shaping and promoting the health and vibrancy of the artworld ecosystem and local art scenes in Miami Beach and beyond. She has vision, ambition, and the requisite skillset in spades to drive forward our team and our many new and longtime partners in Miami Beach. I am immensely proud to welcome her to the Art Basel family.
Vincenzo de Bellis, Director of Fairs and Exhibition Platforms, also expressed confidence in Finn's capabilities: "Our Miami Beach show is absolutely singular – in its history and topography, in its character and spirit, and in the extraordinary community of Miami Beach that continues to shape this landmark fair and cultural experience of unparalleled quality. Bridget is a lifelong partner to and champion of galleries and artists. She brings invaluable leadership experience, a wide network of collectors, galleries, artists, and cultural partners, and unfettered enthusiasm for and conviction in Art Basel's purpose and vision. I am confident that she will take our show and all that makes it unique into an even stronger, brighter future."
In response to her appointment, Finn expressed her deep honor and enthusiasm, acknowledging Art Basel Miami Beach's transformative journey since its inception more than 20 years ago. She looks forward to collaborating with galleries, patrons, and partners as they embark on the next 20 years of limitless possibilities, propelling the show to new heights of artistic excellence and profound impact.
Finn is set to lead the Miami Beach show in 2024 and will attend the 2023 edition in December, which will be spearheaded by Vincenzo de Bellis. She joins Art Basel alongside recently appointed directors Maike Cruse for Art Basel Basel, Clément Delépine for Paris+ par Art Basel, and Angelle Siyang-Le for Art Basel Hong Kong.
Upcoming Art Basel shows Paris+ par Art Basel, October 20–22, 2023
Miami Beach, December 8–10, 2023
Hong Kong, March 26–30, 2024 Basel, June 13-16, 2024
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