In a report on exhibitors at the upcoming Art Basel Miami Beach, Lindsay Pollock reports that a number of galleries have dropped out of the fair but the defections have been smallest in the fairs top tier “art galleries” section where only 30 of 186 galleries have decided not to come to the 2009 edition. Pollock calls the turnover a “dealer fear barometer” but quickly offers alternative explanations for the dropouts but also pointing out that many of the galleries that are not returning are young dealers from outside the US :

Sixty exhibitors who participated in Art Basel Miami Beach in 2008 aren’t returning this December, reflecting a  24% turnover rate. Sixty-five dealers, some of whom participated in earlier editions, have been added to the roster.The fair includes about 250 dealers overall.

David Nolan, Maureen Paley, Donald Young, Waddington and Skarstedt are among the more established galleries on the “Out” list.

In-n-Out Art Basel Miami Beach, Pt. 1 (Lindsay Pollock)