New Abu Dhabi cultural district announced ahead of the emirate’s inaugural Frieze fair
The area, called Noma, will be near the site of the first Frieze Abu Dhabi, which launches next month in the Saadiyat Cultural District
Frieze Masters balance shifts towards Global South
More non-Western art is represented at this year’s edition, along with galleries from North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia
Version of nude faun sculpture torn down during Islamic Revolution appears at Frieze Masters
An edition of a work that was pulled down by Iranian government in 1979 is on show at Ab-Anbar gallery
At Frieze London, some buyers are taking risks—others are taking their time
The fair is adapting to changing buying patterns, but it seems to be paying off for galleries offering radical works
Artist Gabrielle Goliath brings cancelled Venice Biennale work to London
The private foundation Ibraaz is showing ‘Elegy’, which was barred by the South African government because of a suite commemorating the Palestinian poet Hiba Abu Nada
Louvre Abu Dhabi appoints Souraya Noujaim as new director
Noujaim previously served as the United Arab Emirates-based museum’s scientific, curatorial and collections management director
‘He has committed no offence other than wanting to defend heritage sites’: arrest of Iraqi archaeologists sparks backlash
Many fear the real reason for Ali Tabar’s and Amir Al-Jumaili’s arrests are their campaigns against a controversial investment law
Frieze Abu Dhabi: which galleries are taking part in the inaugural fair?
Taking over the longstanding Abu Dhabi Art, the Frieze brand has lured international dealerships alongside a strong showing of regional names
Riyadh's JAX cultural district expands with Lift gallery arrival
The gallery's founder, Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz Al Saud, wants to platform local Saudi and regional artists
Misan Harriman to step down as chair of London's Southbank Centre
Harriman, who faced criticism from some UK media outlets over social media posts, says it was always his plan to leave after serving two terms
Yemen deals with cultural heritage challenges after years of civil war
Renewed momentum is helping to alleviate the issue—and women are playing a key role
Greta Thunberg, Hugh Bonneville sign letter defending Southbank Centre chair Misan Harriman
Harriman has been the focus of several articles in conservative UK media outlets following posts he shared on social media
Our pick of the best pavilions at the 61st Venice Biennale
From splashing sewage to moments of zen, here is our selection of top national presentations in the Giardini, Arsenale and across town
Major protests take place at Venice Biennale previews
More than 200 people attended a protest outside the Israeli pavilion, while the activists groups Pussy Riot and FEMEN led a demonstration at Russia’s
The Egyptian Modernist Inji Efflatoun gains international exposure with new biographical collection
The book on the late artist, who was imprisoned for her feminist and socialist beliefs, includes several essays and rarely seen images
Art Dubai announces updated gallery list for postponed 2026 edition
Around 75 exhibitors due to take part will not attend, following the US-Israel war in Iran
Art Dubai 2026 to be postponed and adapted in response to regional conflict
The fair’s 20th edition will be rescheduled to mid-May and have a “more focused and flexible format”, as Iranian strikes in the UAE show no signs of abating
British Museum did not remove Palestine from labels due to pressure campaign, museum sources say—as backlash continues
Some scholars however have questioned the wording used in the new labels in the Ancient Levant and Egyptian galleries
UAE galleries close amid Iran missile strikes
Meanwhile Art Dubai fair, scheduled for April, plans to go ahead but its organisers are "monitoring the situation closely"
Syria’s Hasakah Museum—occupied by military for more than a decade—to finally open
The archaeological museum in northeast Syria—which was out of sight of many local residents until late 2024—is opening 24 years after construction on it began
London’s Mosaic Rooms, dedicated to art from the Arab region, reopens after expansion
The space in Kensington has relaunched with a continued focus on both international strategies of resistance and its local community
‘An institution where you delve into works’: details of AlUla Contemporary Art Museum announced
The vision and name for the new institution, opening in the AlUla culture and heritage site in northwest Saudi Arabia, were revealed on 1 February
February Book Bag: from Tracey Emin’s conversations about painting to a catalogue of Lucian Freud’s drawings
Our round-up of the latest art publications
The first Art Basel Qatar heralds a new model for art fairs in the region
The inaugural event, which welcomes 87 exhibitors, features solo displays of major artists across multiple venues, as participating galleries hope to engage with museums and encourage institutional sales
Art Basel Qatar is the latest addition to a grand national plan
A drive to develop the commercial sector is the latest push from the government to promote its artists
Saudi art world questions widespread use of consultancies in shaping culture landscape
As the country's art scene continues to expand, the reliance on external companies such as McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group is raising eyebrows
From Koons's ‘Tulips’ to a Triceratops skull: new hotel-casino brings Wynn collection to UAE
Set to open in 2027, Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is a $5.1bn project from the US hotel and casino group Wynn Resorts
Two more mega museums open in Abu Dhabi
The Zayed National Museum, designed by Norman Foster, and the Natural History Museum, are both located on the emirate’s Saadiyat Island
Exclusive: Dana Awartani to represent Saudi Arabia at Venice Biennale 2026
The artist has a particular interest in craft traditions—and frequently addresses the fragility of cultural heritage in her work
Tutankhamun set to debut at delayed Grand Egyptian Museum opening
The colossal archaeological museum is set to welcome international dignitaries to a ceremony this Saturday, including opening its prize attraction, the Tutankhamun Gallery





























