As the region’s cultural scene continues to grow, there’s more than one reason to explore the many art events happening in the UAE. From the much-anticipated Art Dubai, taking place from 18 to 20 April, to the ongoing Sharjah Art Biennial, now is the perfect time to plan an art itinerary to experience all that the emirates have to offer.
Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial
With site-specific art installations located across Abu Dhabi, the inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial transforms the city into a place for thought-provoking conversations. The biennial focuses on the concept of public space, viewing it through the lens of environment, community, urbanity and indigeneity in an attempt to achieve a nuanced understanding. “The artists selected for the second phase of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial present a fascinating range of perspectives on how we define ‘public’ within the unique context of Abu Dhabi," Alia Lootah, Curator at Public Art, tells MOJEH. "Their site-specific installations encourage visitors to reimagine some of the emirate’s most iconic and beloved locations in fresh and thought-provoking ways.” Posing questions that require one to examine the role the cityscape plays in their social gatherings and interactions, as well the balance between preserving tradition while promoting modern development, the exhibition encourages you to ponder these thoughts when you make a visit. Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial is running until 30 April. Learn More
Art Dubai
Since its establishment in 2007, Art Dubai has grown immensely, cementing Dubai’s position as an emerging art hub that supports both regional and international artists from around the globe. The 2025 exhibition will be held in Madinat Jumeirah from 18 to 20 April, with invitation-only previews on 16 and 17 April. This year, Art Dubai Digital will present a series of new site-specific digital installations, expanding the limits of traditional art and redefining how it engages with audiences. The second edition of Art Dubai’s Digital Summit, After the Technological Sublime, is also highly anticipated by art enthusiasts in the region as it presents a platform to discuss and debate the role of art and technology in addressing critical environmental, social, cultural and political challenges. The 3-day programme offers a complete immersion into the world of art and culture through artistic creations and intellectual discussions. We recommend you plan ahead to make the most of it. Art Dubai will take place from 18 to 20 April, with invitation-only previews on 16 and 17 April. Learn More
Sharjah Art Biennial
The Sharjah Biennial's theme this season, to carry, invites visitors to participate in an open discussion about navigating various cultural spaces. It explores the ever-growing list of what individuals ‘carry’ and how they ‘carry’ it, emphasising that this requires a deeper understanding of one's position in multicultural contexts. The 16th edition, curated by Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala and Zeynep Öz, features over 650 works by close to 200 participants. Across the many venues in the Emirate of Sharjah, the Biennial has also organised several activations and performances, further enhancing the cultural experience it puts forward. The Sharjah Biennial 16 is running until 15 June. Learn More
