Art Dubai's postponed 2026 edition reveals revised gallery lineup and new partnerships amid regional tensions
The 2026 edition of Art Dubai has been rescheduled to May 15-17, prompted by the ongoing US-Israel conflict in Iran. The event will be hosted at Madinat Jumeirah and feature 50 galleries. A revised fee structure eliminates stand fees, opting instead for a percentage of sales. Prominent UAE galleries such as The Third Line and Gallery Isabell will participate alongside international galleries from cities like London, Paris, and Turin. Nevertheless, approximately 75 galleries, including Tehran's O Gallery and Dastan Gallery, as well as all Indian galleries, have opted out. Fair director Benedetta Ghione mentioned timing and logistics as reasons for the withdrawals. Still, 60% of the representation will be regional, with 40% international. Non-commercial collaborations have increased, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is anticipated to open by the end of the year. Following a ceasefire on April 8, Iranian attacks have diminished.
Key facts
- Art Dubai 2026 postponed to May 15-17 due to US-Israel war in Iran
- 50 galleries participating with revised fee structure based on sales percentage
- 75 galleries dropped out including O Gallery, Dastan Gallery, Almine Rech, and all Indian galleries
- Fair director Benedetta Ghione cited timing and logistics as dropout reasons
- Non-commercial partnerships with Sharjah Art Foundation, Barjeel Art Foundation, Alserkal Avenue, Art Jameel
- Barjeel Art Foundation organizing Modern works exhibition at the fair
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi set to open by end of 2026
- Ceasefire since April 8 may extend beyond April 21 expiration
Entities
Institutions
- Art Dubai
- The Third Line
- Gallery Isabell
- Ab-Anbar
- John Martin
- Lilia Ben Salah
- Galerie Frank Elbaz
- Galleria Franco Noero
- Athr
- Hafez Gallery
- Saleh Barakat
- Gallery One
- O Gallery
- Dastan Gallery
- Almine Rech
- ChertLüdde
- Galerie Peter Kilchmann
- Vigo Gallery
- Experimenter
- Jhaveri Contemporary
- Chemould Prescott Road
- Sharjah Art Foundation
- Barjeel Art Foundation
- Alserkal Avenue
- Art Jameel
- Etihad Museum
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
- Art Dubai Group
- Efie Gallery
- Leila Heller
- Lawrie Shabibi
- Tabari Art Space
- ATHR Gallery
- Hunna Art Gallery
- Labor gallery
- Alserkal
- Concrete
- Blank Space initiative
- ISEA2026
- March Meeting
- Labor Gallery
- Dubai Collection
- Alserkal Art Week
- ArtAsiaPacific
- Art Basel Qatar
- Frieze Abu Dhabi
- The Art Newspaper
- ArtsLife
Locations
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- France
- Turin
- Italy
- Jeddah
- Saudi Arabia
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Ramallah
- Palestine
- Tehran
- Iran
- Abu Dhabi
- Riyadh
- Sharjah
- Kuwait
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- U.S.
- Israel
- Gulf region
- United States
- Strait of Hormuz
- US
- Madinat Jumeirah
- Middle East
- Qatar
- Gulf
- South Asia