Art Dubai

Art Dubai is an international art fair that takes place every March in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 2007, the fair is the leading art fair of the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, presenting a globally diverse lineup of over 90 galleries from around 40 countries, from household names to emerging art spaces. Art Dubai is one of the major events on the international arts calendar, attracting over 27,000 visitors in 2016 – including UAE-based, regional and international collectors, curators, patrons and 95 visiting museums and institutions. Alongside its gallery halls, Art Dubai’s programming includes commissioned artists’ and curators’ projects, residencies, the most extensive non-for-profit educational programme of any international art fair, an annual exhibition of works by winners of the Abraaj Group Art Prize, and the Global Art Forum.

According to its website, Art Dubai is held under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. Art Dubai is held in partnership with The Abraaj Group and is sponsored by Julius Baer and Piaget. Madinat Jumeirah is home to the event. The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (DCAA) is a strategic partner of Art Dubai and, along with Dubai Design District (d3), supports the fair’s year-round non-for-profit education programme.

Art Dubai, originally called the Gulf Art Fair, was founded in 2007 by gallerist John Martin and former financier Benedict Floyd. It is part of the Art Dubai Group FZ LLC, which is part-owned by Middle East Fairs and the Dubai International Finance Center (DIFC). The fair was directed by John Martin from 2007 until 2010, when Bidoun Projects director Antonia Carver succeeded the position as fair director. Carver directed Art Dubai for six years until April 2016. Arts writer, editor and consultant Myrna Ayad was appointed the new fair director of Art Dubai in May 2016 and is currently leading the fair into its eleventh edition, which takes place March 15–18, 2017.

Art Dubai’s gallery halls are split into two main sections: Contemporary and Modern. Art Dubai Contemporary features commercial galleries operating on the primary market that have been established for at least two years. Around 75 galleries are selected every year for Art Dubai Contemporary, from established European galleries to younger art spaces from lesser-known art capitals. Likewise, exhibited artists range from emerging practitioners to industry heavyweights. The works presented at the fair cover painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, video, photography and performance.

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