In a season when generosity feels in short supply, Art Basel has quietly introduced a policy that could be described as rare altruism in the art-fair world.

According to several first- and second-time exhibitors at Art Basel Paris, the fair has been offering booth-fee discounts to new participants—20 percent for first-time (“freshman”) exhibitors and 10 percent for second-year (“sophomore”) galleries. The initiative was outlined in an email sent to participants shortly after Labor Day.

Multiple dealers confirmed receiving the notice. Although it’s unclear when the practice began, one New York gallerist said the discount model has been in place since Art Basel Miami Beach 2021.

Encouraging New Voices in a Tight Market

Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s chief artistic officer and global director, confirmed the program in a statement to ARTnews:

“Our step-up model offers reduced fees for galleries participating in our main sectors for the first or second time. It’s an important measure that encourages new exhibitors and supports them in establishing a presence within Art Basel’s global network.”

He added that the policy will expand in 2026:

“We’re pleased to enhance this approach—with an exceptional 5 percent uplift at each level, bringing the discount to 25 percent for first-year exhibitors and 15 percent for second-year galleries. It reflects our long-term commitment to fostering a healthy, dynamic ecosystem where new voices can thrive alongside established players.”

The step-up model applies across all Art Basel fairs—including Basel (Switzerland), Hong Kong, and Miami Beach—and will extend to its new edition launching in Qatar next year.

A Welcome Relief in a Strained Market

For many dealers, the discounts come as a welcome reprieve amid growing economic pressures on the art-fair circuit. A report earlier this year by London-based firm First Thursday found that 46 percent of galleries spend around $40,000 to attend a single fair, while nearly one in five spend between $66,000 and $133,000. More than 80 percent cited participation costs as their biggest challenge. “The model feels unsustainable at present,” one gallerist said.

Global art sales fell 12 percent last year to $57.5 billion, according to the Art Basel & UBS Global Art Market Report, marking the second consecutive year of contraction and the slowest pace of growth since the pandemic. Rising shipping costs, slower buying, and newly reimposed U.S. tariffs have only compounded the strain.

Against that backdrop, Art Basel’s discounts might be seen as a self-interested way to retain new exhibitors—but they also reflect a deeper acknowledgment of how fragile the gallery ecosystem has become. In an environment where even modest gestures matter, a 20 percent break on booth fees could feel like a radical act of compassion.