WWD asked top international gallerists, collectors, and artists to name the cities they find most exciting for contemporary art. Karen and Christian Boros recommend Naples and the Amalfi Coast, highlighting galleries like Galleria Giangiacomo Rossetti, Thomas Dane Gallery, and Lia Rumma, as well as Fondazione Morra Greco and Le Sirenuse hotel. Daniel Arsham points to Sugar Beach in St. Lucia for its large contemporary sculpture collection. Jean-Michel Othoniel champions South Korea, citing Seoul's Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, Kukje Gallery, and the Kiaf Seoul fair, plus the city of Busan. Emma Lavigne of the Pinault Collection names Venice, especially during the Biennale Arte di Venezia, as an essential destination.
This article matters because it offers insider perspectives from influential art-world figures on emerging and enduring hubs for contemporary art, guiding collectors, curators, and travelers toward meaningful cultural experiences. By spotlighting destinations beyond the usual art capitals—such as Naples, St. Lucia, and Busan—it reflects the increasingly global and decentralized nature of the contemporary art scene, where private collections, regional fairs, and artist residencies are gaining prominence alongside major biennials.