Dubai - The Middle East's Premier Art Destination?

As the United Arab Emirates’ second largest city it’s hardly surprising that Dubai is home to an impressive art scene. What you may not know is that Dubai plays host to Alserkal Avenue. Established in 2007 as an art hub housing numerous galleries and workspaces, and home to collaborators from a range of different disciplines. These creative workspaces are just the tip of the artistic hub that Dubai has become.

So where’s best to view the contemporary collections that Dubai has to offer?

Cuadro Fine Art Gallery

Housed within the Dubai International Finance Centre is Cuadro, one of the UAE’s foremost art galleries. They work closely with collectors to offer studio space, lectures and residency programmes as well as exhibiting remarkable contemporary works.

The Third Line

Focussing on home grown artists, The Third Line have established themselves as representatives of Middle Eastern art both nationally and internationally. They also host many charitable exhibitions to stimulate greater interest. The Third line is credited with being instrumental Dubai’s art scene development and has played host to some well-respected artists such as Iran’s Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian.

Salsali Private Museum

Beginning his collection at the tender age of 21, Ramin Salsali is now over 900 pieces strong. Using this extensive collection Salsali founded the first private museum in Dubai in 2011. The gallery exhibitions include both local and international artists and its founder has been honoured by the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai as a patron of the arts no less than 4 times since the museum’s inception.

The Green Art Gallery

Opened in 1995, the Green Art Gallery has specialised in the promotion of emerging artists from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Turkey, over a range of different media. Beginning as a humble appreciation project by two art lovers, The Green Gallery is now considered a progressive space for artists and art lovers alike.

Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde

Founded in 2005 (originally called B21) as a working space for cultural exchange this fantastic gallery not only changed its name but re-located to the Al-Quoz district in Dubai in 2011. This in itself represents all that the galley stands for. Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde is critically acclaimed as one of Dubai’s most ground breaking exhibition spaces. The gallery retains a core group of artists which it represents internationally through collaborative projects with other galleries worldwide and has played host to some of Dubai’s most reputable artists as well as international creatives. Dubai is often underrated as a new city build in the dusty desert but there is so much more to it than that. Dubai is fast emerging as a cultural haven for Middle Eastern artists in the UAE, as well as the hot ticket for internationals.