"Art Dubai 2026" It establishes Dubai’s leadership as a global center for the creative economy with an exceptional version

Dubai, April 15 / WAM / Today, Art Dubai announced preliminary details for its special edition for the year 2026, which will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, during the period from May 15 to 17 next in Madinat Jumeirah, preceded by a day dedicated to VIPs on May 14, which reflects the consolidation of Dubai’s position as a leading global center for culture, arts and the creative economy.

This session represents a turning point in the exhibition’s 20-year journey and reviews the development of the art scene in the region, and at the same time confirms Dubai’s ability to lead cultural transformations globally through an integrated system that brings together artists, galleries and cultural institutions under one umbrella.

“Art Dubai” is no longer just an art exhibition, but has become an integrated international platform that contributes to shaping the future of cultural and creative industries, and strengthens the emirate’s position as a global center for the convergence of cultures and the exchange of artistic knowledge, and includes more than 75 artistic performances.

The special edition is organized in partnership with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) as a strategic partner, and in cooperation with ARM Holding, along with a wide network of leading cultural institutions, in a model that reflects the integration of roles between the government and private sectors in supporting the creative economy.

Benedetta Guion, Executive Director of Art Dubai Group, confirmed that the exhibition has become a global model for contemporary culture platforms, noting that this edition embodies the flexibility of the cultural scene in the UAE, and reflects the strength of partnerships and integration between its various components.

She added that the story of Art Dubai is an extension of the story of Dubai itself, where the exhibition originated and developed alongside the city, becoming one of its most prominent cultural and economic engines.

For her part, Donia Gutwais, Director of Art Dubai, explained that the new edition brings together galleries from about 20 countries, with a strong presence of institutions in the region, which reflects the pivotal role that Dubai plays in linking regional and global art markets.

She pointed out that the exhibition presents a wide range of artistic styles, from contemporary and modern to digital works, reflecting the transformations taking place in the art sector globally, and enhancing Dubai’s attractiveness as an advanced center for the art market.

Alexi Glass Kantor, Executive Director of Curatorial Affairs at Art Dubai Group, said: “The idea of ​​(joint work) represents the essence of this edition, whose program focuses on building bridges of interaction between artists, institutions and the public, through an integrated experience that goes beyond the traditional concept of art exhibitions.” She stressed that the exhibition’s program was developed in cooperation with leading cultural institutions in the UAE and the region, to bring together multiple forms of artistic practice within a common dialogue, and invites the public to interact with the works and discover them in unexpected ways.

This special edition of the exhibition begins in Dubai and is deeply connected to the region, continuing to highlight the emirate’s position as a commercial center for arts in the region, and reflecting the importance of the exhibition within the cultural system.

The performances span contemporary, modern and digital artistic practices, and confirm Art Dubai’s continued commitment to linking regional practices with global contexts. This edition includes more than 45 galleries’ performances, of which approximately 60% of participants are from the region.

The exhibition brings together international galleries that have supported the region for many years, and others that played a key role in shaping its features. This edition highlights the galleries in Dubai that have grown alongside the exhibition, and welcomes a number of new exhibitors, including international and regional participants who join the Art Dubai family for the first time.

In a step that reflects Dubai’s commitment to supporting the sustainability of creative industries, this year, Art Dubai is launching an innovative model for sharing risks with galleries, which enhances the ability of these institutions to continue and grow in light of global challenges, so that the costs of pavilions are paid based on success.

Through its partnerships with government agencies, the private sector and cultural partners, Art Dubai is an established part of the city’s creative ecosystem, and continues its commitment to developing long-term initiatives that reflect Dubai’s cultural ambitions and the diversity of its communities.

In parallel with the gallery shows, this edition of the exhibition presents a program that includes exhibitions, large-scale art installations, commissioned works, performances and cinematic screenings, in addition to a daily program of dialogue sessions and discussions.

The special edition includes about 75 artistic performances, with wide participation from international and regional galleries, in addition to an expanded cultural program that includes “And We Go”, a major show from Dubai’s collections, the city’s first institutional collection of modern and contemporary art, the twentieth edition of Art Dubai’s World Art Forum, commissioned by Shomon Basar, and an exhibition of modern Arab art from the Burjeel Arts Foundation, featuring prominent selections from its collection, in addition to a performance program in cooperation with the Sharjah Arts Foundation. A program of large-scale installations, new commissions, and site-specific artworks will be distributed throughout the exhibition, with the participation of artists including Khaled Al-Banna, Hashel Al-Lamki, Kevork Murad, Yaw Owusu, Nada Razwipur, Rashid and Ahmed Bin Shabib, and Sudarshan Shetty, as well as a program of moving image works presented in collaboration with Alserkal Avenue, and shown at both locations.

The program also includes additional cooperation with Art Jameel, the UAE National Pavilion, the Venice Biennale, the Ministry of Culture, and the House of Arts, in addition to a daily program of dialogue sessions, events and live experiences throughout the exhibition.

Dubai is a global center for the cultural future.

It is worth noting that this edition of “Art Dubai” embodies Dubai’s long-term vision as a global capital of culture and creativity, by developing qualitative platforms that combine art, economics and knowledge, and open new horizons for international cooperation.

By providing free entry to the public, the exhibition continues its role in promoting community participation and consolidating culture as an essential element in the quality of life, in line with Dubai’s strategic goals in building a sustainable knowledge economy based on innovation and creativity.

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