Art Dubai opens 2025 edition with garland of curated initiatives

Art Dubai, one of the Middle East's leading international art fairs, has opened its 2025 edition (Apr.18 -20, previews on Apr. 16,17) at Madinat Jumeirah, its traditional home.

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

The fair is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AI Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This year's programme features over 120 gallery presentations drawn from 65 cities and five continents, alongside a programme of commissions and installations, talks, conferences and special events.

The leading commercial platform for art and artists from lesser-represented geographies since its foundation in 2007, Art Dubai strives to be a model that is a catalyst and engine for the growth of Dubai's cultural scene and creative economy. At the presser announcing the opening, Pablo del Val, Art Dubai's Artistic Director, said that "this year's line-up reflects the rapid maturing of the cultural scene in the Gulf region. Dubai is a unique, global city-one which is home to communities and peoples from all over the world, with different languages and traditions and, as we approach our twentieth year, the fair has become the main platform and commercial marketplace for galleries and artists from these scenes and geographies. We are proud to champion these voices, supporting a more diverse and global art world." Exhibitors include those taking part in Art Dubai's Contemporary, Bawwaba, Modern and Digital sections. 30 first-time participants and the geographic breadth of the exhibitor line-up can be said to be a reflection of Art Dubai's role as a gateway for discovery, learning and exchange, as well as a projection of its commitment to showcasing art and artists from less-represented geographies.