Art Dubai has unveiled a special 20th edition that reflects both the fair’s two-decade legacy and the cultural moment it now inhabits. The edition will bring together leading local, regional, and international galleries, alongside newly commissioned works and ambitious collaborations with some of the UAE’s foremost cultural institutions. Over the years, Art Dubai has worked closely with partners to create sustained impact, supporting artists while expanding opportunities for audiences and the wider creative ecosystem.
Celebrating 20 years with a Special edition
Taking place at Madinat Jumeirah from 15–17 May 2026 (with a preview on 14 May), the special edition will spotlight the galleries, institutions, and communities that have helped shape the region’s evolving art market and cultural landscape.
Alongside presentations from regional and international galleries, the programme will feature large-scale installations, performances, and screenings, complemented by daily talks and artist-led activations.
Dubai Collection
In partnership with Dubai Culture, the Dubai Collection is the city’s first institutional collection of modern and contemporary art. Built through long-term loans from private collectors, it is made publicly accessible via a digital archive, research platform, and year-round programme of curated exhibitions. The Art Dubai Group oversees the initiative, from coordinating advisory committees to delivering exhibitions and digital content.
The Global Art Forum
Art Dubai’s annual, flagship summit, the Global Art Forum, is the leading arts conference in the Middle East and Africa. Held at Madinat Jumeirah, it brings together artists, curators, thinkers, and technologists to explore the ideas shaping contemporary culture and the future of the creative industries.
Campus Art Dubai
Campus Art Dubai (CAD) is part of Art Dubai’s year-round programming, designed to provide artists with educational and professional development opportunities through a series of seminars, lectures, workshops, and off-site visits. The first initiative of its kind in the region, CAD has evolved and reinvented itself across seven iterations.
Established in 2012, it has served as a platform for artists, curators, writers, architects, designers, and cultural producers based in the UAE.
Dubai Public Art Strategy
The Art Dubai Group has been commissioned by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority to support the implementation of the Dubai Public Art Strategy, an ambitious multi-year initiative designed to transform the city into an open-air artistic canvas.
The programme invites artists from, or based in, the UAE to develop groundbreaking public art commissions across Dubai. The first large-scale installation under the initiative, Union of Artists, was unveiled in 2024 at Al Hudaiba Public Park.
The Art Salon
Art Salon is Art Dubai’s exclusive community, bringing together dedicated art collectors and cultural enthusiasts based in the UAE.
It showcases the region’s ever-evolving cultural landscape beyond the fair’s walls, with a focus on art, design, and innovation. Members are offered a dynamic, tailored programme of unique experiences and bespoke events.
Dubai Art continues to redefine what cultural engagement looks like in a contemporary city, moving far beyond traditional gallery spaces into schools, public streets, and community forums. These initiatives reflect a broader vision: to embed art into daily life, foster creative exchange across generations, and position Dubai not only as a hub for major international fairs but as a living, evolving canvas shaped by its community.
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