Art Dubai Reveals First Details for its 2026 Edition

Art Dubai has officially unveiled the first details of its highly anticipated 2026 edition—marking the fair’s 20th anniversary and signaling an ambitious new era for one of the world’s most influential cultural events.

Looking ahead to its third decade, Art Dubai continues to solidify its role as the pre-eminent art fair in the MENASA region, championing artists, galleries, and collectors whose practices shape the future of global art discourse.

Returning to Madinat Jumeirah from 17–19 April 2026, with previews on 15 and 16 April, this milestone edition is the first under the leadership of new Fair Director Dunja Gottweis.

The 2026 fair introduces a reimagined framework—Future, Past, Present—and features five renewed sections designed to reflect Art Dubai’s legacy while embracing its forward-facing vision.

A Dynamic Global Line-up for the 20th Anniversary

Art Dubai 2026 will welcome over 100 modern, contemporary, and digital presentations from more than 35 countries, reflecting Dubai’s character as a diverse, multicultural, and future-oriented hub. Participation from Africa has more than doubled, with expanded representation from Latin America, including galleries from Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

Notably, the fair will host 36 first-time exhibitors, including several in the Galleries, Zamaniyyat, Bawwaba, and Digital sections. These new participants come from Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Africa—further strengthening the fair’s global reach.

Over half of the exhibitors hail from the MENASA region, and 25 have physical gallery spaces in Dubai, reinforcing the city’s position as the region’s artistic capital and a growing global cultural force.

The Five Reconfigured Sections: Future, Past, Present

Art Dubai Galleries

Showcasing modern and contemporary practices, this central section highlights galleries that drive global artistic dialogue. First-time exhibitors include Galerie Frank Elbaz (France), Labor (Mexico), and Galerie Peter Kilchmann (Switzerland), alongside notable returning galleries from Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Singapore, and more.

Zamaniyyat

Curated by Dr. Sarah A. Rifky, this section explores global modernisms from the 1950s to the 1990s through solo and group presentations from 11 galleries and 45 artists. It traces the evolution of modernism through multiple geographies, art schools, and cultural movements—offering a rich, multi-narrative look at art history.

Bawwaba

Curated by Amal Khalaf, Bawwaba (“gateway”) focuses on newly produced works by emerging and mid-career artists whose practices explore belonging, movement, diaspora, and new modes of knowledge. For the first time, all Bawwaba galleries will benefit from the Bawwaba Gallery Support Programme, offering a new model for sustainable participation.

Art Dubai Digital

Now in its fifth edition, Art Dubai Digital explores the intersection of art and technology. Curated by Ulrich Schrauth and Nadine Khalil, the 2026 theme—“Myth of the Digital”—positions digital art as central to contemporary culture rather than a niche form. The section will feature renowned artists like Marina Abramović, Rachel Rossin, Morehshin Allahyari, and Daniel Iregui, alongside rising regional talents.

Bawwaba Extended

A new platform for large-scale immersive installations, Bawwaba Extended will transform the Madinat Jumeirah campus into a public art environment. Curated by Amal Khalaf and Alexie Glass-Kantor, this initiative opens opportunities for works that transcend traditional fair formats. Full details will be announced in January 2026.

A Catalyst for Cultural Dialogue

Beyond exhibitions, Art Dubai 2026 will continue its commitment to thought leadership through its extensive talks and conference programme—the most comprehensive of any international art fair. This includes a special edition of the prestigious Global Art Forum, which convenes influential voices across art, culture, technology, and academia.

Institutional collaborations, artist commissions, and curated events will further strengthen the fair’s role in supporting local and regional creative ecosystems.

Leadership Remarks

Fair Director Dunja Gottweis emphasized the fair’s cultural significance, stating that Art Dubai has been instrumental in shaping Dubai’s creative identity over the past two decades. She highlighted the fair’s commitment to both historic and ultra-contemporary practices, as well as its role in fostering a thriving year-round cultural landscape.

A Milestone Year Ahead

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Art Dubai 2026 reflects the fair’s growing influence and continued dedication to bridging regional practices with global artistic contexts. With expanded global participation, new curatorial frameworks, and a focus on innovation, the 20th anniversary edition promises to be one of the most exciting yet.

Further programme announcements, including the full list of participants and details of Bawwaba Extended, will be revealed soon.