For decades, the art world’s gravitational pull centered around New York, Paris, and London. If you wanted to make it big, that’s where you had to be. But the past decade has shown us that the cultural compass is shifting. From Sharjah’s bold curatorial approach to Abu Dhabi’s public art transformation, the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region is building an art ecosystem that is as ambitious as it is unique.

Image credits: Installation view of Monira Al Qadiri, Gastromancer, 2023. At Sharjah Biennial 2025. Photo: Antonie Robertson. Source: The National.

Sharjah: The Intellectual Powerhouse

If the Sharjah Biennial proves one thing, it’s that art is no longer a Western monopoly. Under the leadership of Hoor Al Qasimi, the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) has become a global force, centering narratives from the Global South and fostering artistic risk-taking.

The 2025 edition, To Carry, running till June 15, exemplifies this ethos. Curated by a dynamic team of women—Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala, and Zeynep Öz—the biennial spans five locations across the UAE, featuring over 190 artists and 200 new commissions. It’s an invitation to explore urban hubs, desert towns, and coastal landscapes through an artistic lens.

Installation view of Raafat Majzoub, Streetschool Prototype 1.1, Everything—in your love—becomes easy, 2019/2024. Photo: Motaz Mawid. Source: The Art Newspaper.

Unlike its Gulf neighbors, Sharjah’s rise hasn’t relied on billion-dollar acquisitions by blue-chip artists. Instead, it thrives on intellectual depth, cultural accessibility, and free public engagement. With programming available in multiple languages, from Arabic to Hindi to Urdu, the biennial reflects the region’s multicultural fabric.

Yet, challenges persist. Issues of censorship and political constraints remain, as seen in the controversy surrounding Lebanese filmmaker Raafat Majzoub’s work. Still, To Carry reaffirms Sharjah’s commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and showcasing the diversity of the MENA region and beyond.

Abu Dhabi: The Open-Air Canvas

Abu Dhabi is playing the long game, and the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial (now in its second phase) is its latest move in transforming the city into an artistic epicenter. Running until April 30, 2025, the biennial—aptly titled Public Matter—turns the emirate into a stage for 70 artists and 40 new commissions, integrating art directly into urban life.

Image Credits: Azza Al Qubaisi, My Courtyard (series), 2024, Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial 2024-25. Image by Lance Gerber. Source: Contemporary Lynx.

Unlike traditional exhibitions, this biennial prioritizes site-specific works that evolve with the city. Azza Al Qubaisi’s pod-like shelters for instance, provide comfort, shade and respite to passersby traveling between the Emirates Post and the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, while Christopher Joshua Benton’s massive astroturf installation at the Carpet Souq spotlights the craftsmanship of the Souk’s vendors and reimagines the marketplace as a participatory creative space.

Image credits: Christopher Joshua Benton, Where Lies My Carpet Is Thy Home. 2024. Astroturf. Image by Lance Gerber. Source: Dazed Mag.

Beyond aesthetics, the biennial is a strategic move in Abu Dhabi’s $35 million-a-year public art initiative, aligning with its broader cultural tourism push. The impact is tangible: new foot traffic in overlooked neighborhoods, increased engagement with local businesses, and a growing sense that Abu Dhabi isn’t just an art destination. It’s an open-air museum in the making, following the model of the Qatar Museums’ Public Art program. One of the most extensive and ambitious in the world, it boasts over 100 artworks installed across the city.

Across the Red Sea: Art Cairo

The recently concluded Art Cairo (February 8–11) at the Grand Egyptian Museum is another marker of the MENA region’s expanding contemporary art scene. Bringing together galleries and artists from Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, the UAE, and Europe, the fair signaled a cultural revival. Egyptian collectors, once focused on local talent, are expanding their horizons. The opening VIP days saw brisk sales and a healthy mix of seasoned buyers and younger collectors—always a promising sign.

Image credits: Art Cairo 2025. Source: Art Cairo.

But Art Cairo isn’t just about sales; it’s about putting the city back on the cultural map. “For years, Cairo was cut off,” says project manager Noor Al Askar, citing political turmoil and the pandemic. For local galleries, the fair is more than just an event—it’s a lifeline. “This fair gives us the visibility we need,” says Stefania Angarano of Mashrabia Gallery, reflecting on Cairo’s shifting art landscape.

Riyadh & Dubai: Market Powerhouses

As the Gulf cements its place in the art world, the upcoming Art Week Riyadh and Art Dubai, in April 2025, are maximising its market appeal. The inaugural Art Week Riyadh, under the Saudi Visual Arts Commission, embodies Saudi Arabia’s cultural ambitions. Themed At The Edge,  it transforms the JAX District into a hub for galleries, collectors, and institutions. With “Vision 2030” fueling the country’s creative economy, the message is clear: this is just the beginning.

Installation view of the Yeo Workshop Contemporary Art booth, at Art Dubai 2024. Source: Art Dubai.

Meanwhile, Art Dubai remains the region’s heavyweight, pulling in 109 galleries from over 50 cities. Dubai-based powerhouses like Ayyam Gallery and Lawrie Shabibi are set to return, while the fair continues its commitment to regional narratives, spotlighting Emirati and UAE-based artists alongside talent from the Gulf, Africa, and South Asia. The Indian art scene will make its presence felt too, with Experimenter, Jhaveri Contemporary, Latitude 28, and Chemould Prescott Road among others.

Beyond the fair, the city’s cultural calendar is packed—think Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert and the Sikka Art and Design Festival—cementing its reputation as a hub where art, commerce, and culture collide.

A Cultural Shift in Motion

Zoom out, and a larger pattern emerges: this isn’t just a series of isolated events—it’s a cultural shift. From major fairs, festivals, and biennales to public art initiatives, a regional movement is taking hold and demanding attention. And while challenges remain (regional politics, censorship, the occasional logistical nightmare) the momentum is undeniable. The art world’s center of gravity is shifting, and MENA is making itself heard.

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