The Miami Herald looks at the frenzied pace of preparations taking place right now so dealers and the fair will be ready for Art Basel Miami in December. The art world may be focused on Frieze but in Miami, it’s crunch time. Here’s what the fair has done to address the changing shape of the art market:

As much as art dealers and fair organizers and artists prepare for the busy week of art fairs and events, the organizers of Art Basel are managing a redesign of the big show. This year, Art Basel brings all galleries into the Convention Center, taking up four halls instead of the usual two. And rather than stuff the halls with many more galleries, fair organizers have widened the booths and the aisles, added restaurants with table service, and amplified the corporate-sponsored VIP lounges and meeting and rest areas.

Marc Spiegler, co-director of Art Basel, says art exhibitors for years have asked for bigger booths and a more structured environment inside the Convention Center. The global economic recession also has caused many galleries to travel to fewer fairs, and to focus their money and efforts on making a big impression on collectors when they do exhibit. Art Basel’s redesign is an effort to respond to those needs, Spiegler says.

“What people want right now is an opportunity to really showcase their artists and their program,” he says. The four halls and new floorplan gives the fair about 20 percent more exhibition space inside the Convention Center, where 266 art galleries and 30 curated special exhibitions will be located.

Dealers, Artists Preparing for the Big Show (Miami Herald)