Internationally recognized as one of the top arts festivals, Art Basel will be taking place in the museum city of Basel (Switzerland) from June 15th until June 20th.

This year's edition will offer over 270 galleries featuring 1,500 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. The participating galleries are considered to be the most renowned in the world, and come from every continent except for Antarctica.

Dubbed Art 36 Basel, this year's event gets its title from being the 36th annual installment. Although certain privileged participants get a sneak preview on the 14th of June, the international festival officially opens to the public on June 15th.

The administrators of this year's event expect some 50,000 artists, collectors, gallery owners, curators, and art enthusiasts to participate. Seeking the most innovative works available, the majority of spectators are serious art collectors interested in expanding their personal art collections.

Outside of those attending for its prestigious reputation of high quality and unique variety of works on display, the event also typically attracts the attention of the international press with over 1,500 media representatives on hand for coverage.

This year's festival will offer the first ever "Artists' Books" exhibition, which features a selection of particularly noteworthy contemporary works chosen to offer insight into the diversity and vitality of this interesting collecting area.

Art Basel is a week long affair and has a little something to offer everyone. Therefore, if you happen to be in Switzerland this year from June 15th to the 20th be sure to check it out. If not there's always next year.