Although average collector spending has declined, in-person events remain an expensive but necessary proposition for galleries. Meanwhile, art fairs are searching for ways to become platforms for bigger clients than art dealers, with sponsorship deals for luxury brands and even tourism boards looking to attract wealthy tourists. 

1. How are the Big Two?

After significant changes in the ownership and management structure of the two major international art fair companies in recent years, Art Basel and Frieze face challenges as the art market has retracted overall.