Here’s what to expect in Abu Dhabi during World Art Day on 15th April

Abu Dhabi marks World Art Day on 15 April with a curated programme of exhibitions and creative experiences that highlight the city’s growing position as a cultural and design destination. Across the Saadiyat Cultural District and beyond, institutions are opening their doors to a series of events that invite visitors to explore art through multiple perspectives.

Leading the programme is Louvre Abu Dhabi with Picasso, the Figure, on view until 31 May 2026. The exhibition brings together works from the Musée National Picasso-Paris, alongside loans from the Musée du Louvre and regional collections, tracing Pablo Picasso’s exploration of the human form. The show offers insight into the evolution of modern art while anchoring the wider celebrations within a global context.

Building on this, the museum introduces a layered schedule of experiences, including a screening of Young Picasso on 25 April, alongside weekly workshops that translate the artist’s work into hands-on practice. Art in Scents, held every Thursday and Saturday, adds a sensory dimension, encouraging visitors to engage with artworks through fragrance. A broader line-up of sketching sessions, drawing workshops and family-focused activities continues throughout the month.

At Manarat Al Saadiyat, the Art Studio programme shifts the focus towards material exploration and process. Textile masterclasses, mixed media sessions for children and daily drop-in studios create an open environment for experimentation across ceramics, painting and printmaking, catering to all age groups.

In the city centre, Cultural Foundation presents a multidisciplinary programme anchored by Shezad Dawood’s Skin of Dreams, running until 20 September. The exhibition is complemented by a series of workshops spanning Arabic calligraphy, Islamic geometric patterns, collage, textile work and painting, alongside architectural prototyping sessions that bridge art and design thinking.

To streamline access, the Saadiyat Cultural District Museum Pass connects Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi under one offering, with prices starting from AED 120 and validity for 30 days. With free entry for visitors under 18, the initiative encourages wider community engagement.

Enhancing accessibility, the Saadiyat Cultural District brings together Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, encouraging visitors to explore multiple cultural institutions within one destination.

As World Art Day unfolds celebrated annually on 15 April in honour of Leonardo da Vinci, Abu Dhabi presents a cohesive cultural landscape where design, creativity and experience come together, offering more than just exhibitions, but a deeper engagement with art in all its forms.