Art Dubai 2026 – What to Expect

Art Dubai prepares to return to Madinat Jumeirah in April 2026, bringing together more than 100 modern, contemporary and digital presentations from over 35 countries. This milestone edition coincides with the first chapter under new Fair Director Dunja Gottweis.

The anniversary year is shaped by a framework titled “Future, Past, Present”, expressed through a redesigned structure of five sections. At its centre, Art Dubai Galleries champions contemporary and modern practices that contribute to global conversations. Around it, four curated sections developed with international curators and academics. Zamaniyyat, guided by Dr. Sarah A. Rifky, rewinds through the narratives of global modernisms and the divergent histories that shaped them. Bawwaba, curated by Amal Khalaf, shines a light on artists who weave research, experimentation and diasporic experience into new work. Art Dubai Digital, led by Ulrich Schrauth and Nadine Khalil, brings technology-driven practices into focus through the theme “Myth of the Digital,” asserting the vitality of digital art in today’s cultural conversations. Completing the constellation is the new Bawwaba Extended, curated by Khalaf and Alexie Glass-Kantor, giving immersive installations room to thrive beyond traditional booths and allowing the Madinat Jumeirah campus itself to become part of the artwork.

The multicultural character of Dubai is mirrored in the fair’s growing diversity. The 2026 edition welcomes a significant number of first-time exhibitors and sees increased participation from Africa and Latin America, alongside strong representation from across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Many galleries with a physical presence in Dubai return, underscoring the city’s role as the region’s commercial art hub and a year-round home for creative communities.

Beyond exhibitions, the fair deepens its commitment to thought leadership with an extensive talks and conference programme, including a special edition of the Global Art Forum one of the world’s leading transdisciplinary platforms. These initiatives continue to strengthen Art Dubai’s influence as a catalyst for cultural exchange and professional development.

Guided by its patronage, partnerships and long-standing collaborators, the fair enters its third decade grounded in heritage yet driven by a forward-looking energy. Further details of the anniversary programme will be revealed in January 2026, promising a landmark edition that honours the journey so far while imagining new possibilities for the years ahead.