First Edition of RAK Contemporary Art Biennale Announced in Ras Al Khaimah

The first edition of the RAK Contemporary Art Biennale will take place from January 16 to February 8, 2026, as part of the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2026. Organized by the Al Qasimi Foundation and Ras Al Khaimah Art under the direction of Suqrat Abdullah Bin Bisher, the biennale is curated by Sharon Toval and titled "Civilizations: Under the Same Sky." It will be held at the historic Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, a 17th-century fishing and pearl-diving village. The biennale features 65 artists from 37 countries across four thematic pavilions: "Inner Spirit," "Under the Same Sky," "Visions from the Source," and "Future Horizons." Italian artists Stefano Cagol and Francesca Fini are among the participants. The event coincides with the third edition of the Diriyah Biennale (starting January 30, 2026, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia) and the debut of Art Basel Qatar in February 2026, highlighting the growing art market in the Gulf region.