USA – FLORIDA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Diego R. Figueroa Rodríguez and Maria Ojeda, DLA Piper
Art Advisory Services and the Legal Landscape: A Guide for Collectors and Practitioners The global art market has been experiencing a period of expansion, increasing complexity and greater pro - fessionalisation. As sales rebound, the role of the art advisor has never been more important or more scru - tinised. The evolving legal frameworks governing art transactions present both opportunities and risks that collectors, institutions and their counsel must under - stand. This article surveys: • the current state of the art market and the increas - ing significance of South Florida as a global art hub; • the critical function of art advisory services; • the distinction between advisors, dealers and influ - encers; and • the legal considerations that should inform any engagement with an art advisor. The Art Market Today A return to growth After two years of decline, the art market experienced renewed growth. The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2026, authored by Dr Clare McAndrew of Arts Economics and published in March 2026, revealed that global art market sales increased by 4% from the previous year, reaching an estimated USD59.6 billion in 2025. This resurgence was sup - ported by both primary sectors: dealer sales climbed to USD34.8 billion, representing a 2% rise, while pub - lic auction sales surged 9% to USD20.7 billion. The number of transactions totalled roughly USD41.5 mil - lion in 2025, up 2% year-on-year. A substantial factor in the recovery was greater con - fidence among high-end buyers. The value of fine art auctioned in the United States (US) for prices exceed - ing USD10 million nearly jumped 40%. The return of major collections reinvigorated excitement at auc - tions. Art fairs also played a pivotal role, accounting for 35% of dealer turnover in 2025, a 4% increase and the highest share since 2022. The US retained its status as the largest art market globally, accounting for about 44% of total sales value. Sales there reached USD26 billion in 2025, marking a 5% uptick after two consecutive years of decline.
The United Kingdom ranked second with USD10.5 billion in sales, China maintained USD8.5 billion and France saw a strong comeback with sales rising 9% year-on-year to USD4.5 billion. Looking ahead, optimism is growing across the mar - ket: 43% of dealers expect improved sales in 2026, a 10% increase from last year and nearly half of mid-tier auction houses foresee further growth. The importance of Florida and the South Florida art scene Florida, particularly Miami, has established itself as a pivotal region within the global art landscape. Art Basel Miami Beach, which began in 2002 and is now recognised as the largest art fair in the Americas, serves as the cornerstone event of Miami Art Week. In 2025, Art Basel Miami Beach featured 283 galler - ies representing 43 countries, including 48 first-time exhibitors and drew over 80,000 attendees. According to the fair’s director, the event was originally held in Miami Beach because of its position as a geographic and cultural nexus among the Americas. Miami Art Week has evolved into a substantial eco - nomic and cultural force for South Florida, encom - passing more than 20 art fairs, including Art Miami, NADA, Untitled and Design Miami. The week generat - ed an estimated economic impact of USD547 million and attracted over 100,000 visitors, with participation from more than 1,100 galleries, all within less than a week of programming. Beyond Miami Art Week, South Florida’s institutional art community has experienced significant growth. Leading institutions include the Pérez Art Museum Miami, the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, the Bass Museum of Art and the Rubell Museum. Pri - vate collectors have been instrumental in developing Miami’s cultural infrastructure, exemplified by initia - tives such as the Margulies Warehouse, the de la Cruz Collection and the Jorge M. Perez Collection. The region also hosts an expanding network of artist resi - dency programs and nonprofit organisations, includ - ing Oolite Arts, the Bakehouse Art Complex, Locust Projects and Fountainhead Residency, all of which contribute to the development of the art scene and foster market growth. This robust infrastructure has
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