Artnet News editor Kate Brown interviews Marc Spiegler, former global director of Art Basel (2007–2022), to analyze the state of the art market entering 2026. The article reviews a turbulent 2025: galleries closed, buying energy dried up, some fairs shrank, and the secondary market faltered, though the hype-driven speculation of previous years receded. By late 2025, signs of recovery emerged—successful fall auction weeks in New York and a stronger-than-expected Art Basel Miami Beach—and both Christie’s and Sotheby’s reported upticks in projected revenue for the year.
Spiegler’s perspective matters because he oversaw Art Basel’s global expansion and now advises major foundations and corporations on cultural strategy. His assessment helps clarify whether the market’s downturn is a temporary correction or a permanent structural shift. The conversation addresses what major changes collectors, dealers, and institutions can expect in 2026, making this a key read for anyone tracking the health and direction of the global art trade.