The question of compensation has become the main talking point among dealers who took part in Art Basel Paris after the fair cut short its fifth edition, closing two days early at the Grand Palais because of scheduled weekend protests over school conditions and the cost of living. Dozens of exhibitors discussed sending a joint letter asking for discounts on future editions, according to a person familiar with the discussions, but the effort appears to have stalled because galleries disagree over what relief to seek, whether a partial refund, a discount on a future fair, or something else.

The stakes are high because exhibiting at the fair is expensive. Dealers said charges for walls, lighting and electrical outlets ran into thousands of dollars, and for smaller galleries the lost weekend business could be an existential blow. One dealer framed the dispute bluntly, contrasting a corporation with small businesses and arguing that, as with a cancelled flight, the party that decided to close should compensate those affected. New York dealer Jack Shainman said the fair's cost was a huge amount and predicted some participants would be outraged, with good reason.

Art Basel has not committed to any financial measure. A representative said the fair understands the early closure affected galleries in different ways, that it cannot yet comment on specific financial or contractual measures, and that it is in direct contact with galleries and will address the matters with them as soon as possible. Ticket holders who could not attend on Friday 23 October are being refunded, the fair said, but no equivalent promise has been made to exhibitors. Some dealers are sceptical anything will follow, with one owner of a major international gallery dismissing the prospect outright.

Others accept the closure was unavoidable. Nicolo Cardi, whose London and Milan gallery sold nine works during the week, said the fair management took the right decision and that all participants, including Art Basel, lost money. Some escaped the worst: Warsaw's Stereo gallery had already sold its entire display for €37,000 before the closure was announced.