Art Dubai’s 20th anniversary Special Edition closes with record attendance

Art Dubai, 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, closed its 20th anniversary Special Edition on May 17, to record public attendance and deserved acclaim that it carried the art flag high, even during difficult times. Strong sales were reported across all four days of the event, which was attended by members of the royal family, leading international, regional and local museums, institutions and private collectors based in Dubai and around the world.

Taking place May 14-17 at Madinat Jumeirah, the Special Edition celebrated and honoured the artists, galleries and institutions whose voices, ideas and practices have been central to the two decades of unprecedented growth in the UAE’s creative industries. Attracting over 25,000 visitors - a record for the public days - the event was hailed for spotlighting and celebrating a new generation of UAE-based creatives.

Institutional presence at the fair was drawn from more than 20 countries including Netherlands, UK, USA, Egypt, UAE, KSA, Angola, Lebanon, Germany, South Africa and South Korea, including Zeitz MOCAA (Cape Town, South Africa), Busan Museum of Art (South Korea), and MoMA (New York, USA). Significant local and international collectors attending included Reem Al Roubi, Mo Afkhami, Elie Khouri, Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi, Rajib Sambdani and Omar Al Gurg, besides others. Initiatives announced at Art Dubai included announcement of new Dubai Museum of Digital Art, scheduled to open in 2029, and an open call for major new sculpture commission announced by A.R.M. Holding. Tomas Daukša was announced as the latest artist to lead A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, launching in UAE schools in September 2026.

A sculpture at Art Dubai Special Edition.

Benedetta Ghione, Executive Director, Art Dubai Group, said that “this week has exceeded all expectations - the community came out in force in celebration of this city’s incredible diversity and creativity, demonstrating the role that culture can play in bringing people together.” Participating galleries noted the depth of local collecting and the support of the local scene for art. Franco Noero, Founder of Turin-based Franco Noero Gallery said that “from the first time we showed at Art Dubai in 2014, we found the region to be full of wonderful artists and people and it is clear that this is a place that rewards investment. We came back in a difficult moment, and have had an amazing experience - the level of sophistication of our clients here is hard to beat.”

Taymour Grahne, who opened his eponymous gallery in Dubai in 2025, said that “Art Dubai for me this year was magic. We were thrilled to present a solo booth by Emirati artist Roudhah Al Marzouei and we sold out our booth within the first couple of hours of the fair. It was lovely to see old faces and we sold works to collectors from across the world - all of whom are based in Dubai - including Emiratis, Saudis, Lebanese, Americans, French, and Canadians, among others. Galleries brought their A-game, and Dubai really showed its amazing energy this week.” Maliha Tabari, Founder of Tabari Artspace said that “the fair has been central to our ecosystem since the early days, bringing MENA art into conversation with global audiences. Sales surpassed our expectations, but what struck us most was the depth of engagement, the attention with which our collectors, curators and visitors approached the work.”

Entrance to the fair.

Mohammed Hafiz, Co-Founder, ATHR Gallery, said that “Art Dubai and ATHR grew up together. What started as a shared experiment to build a regional ecosystem has become a global platform. This Special Edition makes one thing clear: the region is not at the periphery of the conversation. It is at its centre.” Founded in 2007, Art Dubai is the pre-eminent art fair of the Middle East, recognised for its encouragement of discovery, dialogue facilitation and a focus on contemporary, modern, and digital practices. Alongside a gallery programme, Art Dubai supports artist commissions, education and public programming, helping to develop the region’s cultural infrastructure and talent through sustainable, long-term models.

Art Dubai operates through two pillars: Art Dubai Fair and Art Dubai Projects. Art Dubai Projects is the organisation’s year-round cultural platform. Operating across public and private sectors, it brings curatorial leadership and long-term vision to initiatives that strengthen creative infrastructure across the UAE and internationally. From public art, collections and commissioning to institutional development, digital platforms and cross-disciplinary programmes, it works with partners to deliver public impact and sustained growth for artists and audiences.

The fruits of art.

Art Dubai Group is a commercial public/private partnership, also established in 2007. The company owns and delivers the Middle East’s leading creative fairs and festivals, convening audiences from across the globe. The group now comprises over 30 initiatives. They include Art Dubai, Dubai Design Week, the region’s largest creative festival and Prototypes for Humanity. The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is the strategic partner of Art Dubai. Art Dubai is presented in partnership with A.R.M. Holding. Culturally driven lifestyle developer HUNA is a partner of Art Dubai. Madinat Jumeirah is the home of Art Dubai. Art Dubai Special Edition was inaugurated by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and closed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The next edition of Art Dubai takes place at Madinat Jumeirah on April 7 – 11, 2027.