Art Dubai today announces full details of the programming and partnerships for its 17th edition, which will take place at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai from 1 to 3 March, (previews on Wednesday 28, and Thursday 29 February).

Highlights will include:

A series of newly commissioned performances on themes of healing, hope, and the power of art in challenging times

An expanded conference and talks program of any international art fair including

The 17th edition of Art Dubai’s flagship summit, the Global Art Forum, examining the relationship between extreme weather and extreme change, organized by Commissioner Shumon Basar and Curator Nadine El-Khoury,

A series of Modern and Collector Talks, presented in partnership with Dubai Collection

The inaugural 3-day Art Dubai Digital Summit convening international and local experts to support and shape the continued development of Dubai’s digital art ecosystem

The fourth edition of the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, devised by Goa-based artist Sahil Naik, launching at the fair before expanding to over 100 schools and 15,000 students

The premiere of ‘Heart Space’, a major new commission by digital artist Krista Kim, presented by Julius Baer as part of their global NEXT initiative

Art Dubai 2024 will feature an expanded programme of collaborations with local and international partners, underscoring the fair’s position as the meeting point for the Global South’s creative communities and its mission to redefine the role an art fair can play in supporting local and regional ecosystems.

Complementing more than 120 presentations drawn from more than 60 cities and over 40 countries across four sections: Contemporary, Bawwaba, Art Dubai Modern and Art Dubai Digital, programme highlights will include major new commissions and premières by internationally renowned artists and the most extensive education, talks and thought-leadership programme of any international art fair.

Since its founding, Art Dubai has been committed to working with institutional and commercial partners to develop new commissioning models and long-term innovative, high-impact cultural programming. These collaborations place particular emphasis on education and digital technologies, which are cornerstones of Art Dubai’s extensive year-round programming; they play a crucial role in shaping the future of Dubai’s cultural infrastructure, as well as responding to some of the most important issues of our time.

Art Dubai Week extends beyond the fair, with world-class exhibitions and events happening in over 50 institutions, galleries and independent art spaces across the UAE.

Pablo del Val, Art Dubai’s Artistic Director commented:

“Art fairs like Art Dubai have a responsibility to be far more than commercial platforms and we continue to play an important institutional role in this region’s cultural ecosystem, supporting artists, scholarship, thought-leadership and cultural education from an early age. Our programme this year reflects the increasingly diverse and multicultural communities of our home city, providing more opportunities than ever for artists from across the Global South. Dubai is a place of relentless reinvention, possibility and opportunity, and these commercial and institutional partnerships are central to all our activity, supporting our world-class non-commercial programmes.”

Art Dubai’s Executive Director Benedetta Ghione commented:

“The Art Dubai Group is committed to laying foundations for a thriving cultural and creative ecosystem, inspired by and responding to our home city of Dubai. The cultural scene here is maturing rapidly and we are proud of the role we play in engaging and inspiring audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and in supporting the next generation of cultural professionals. Our year-round education, scholarship, and thought-leadership programmes, developed alongside our long-term partners, create significant opportunities for people from all over the world to build careers in the creative industries in Dubai.”

Art Dubai is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event is held in partnership with A.R.M. Holding. It is sponsored by Swiss Wealth Management Group Julius Baer. Art Dubai’s exclusive high jewellery and watch partner is Piaget. Culturally driven lifestyle developer HUNA is a partner of Art Dubai. The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is the strategic partner of Art Dubai and Art Dubai Digital. Madinat Jumeirah is the home of Art Dubai.