On Thursday, The Sobey Art Foundation and the National Gallery of Canada announced that the Sobey Art Award, a prize for artists under 40, would not be awarded this year in response to the ongoing pandemic. Instead, the prize money and funds earmarked for artist residencies and an annual gala (making $625,000 CAD in all), would be shared among the 25 longlisted artists. Ron Sobey, chair of the Sobey Art Foundation, said, ‘These extraordinary, historic, and challenging circumstances will have a profound impact on the livelihoods and practices of artists across Canada and around the world.’
As the cultural landscape of the Middle East continues to evolve, Abu Dhabi is preparing to unveil one of its most anticipated artistic milestones. On 11 December 2026, the long-awaited Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will officially open its doors, marking a transformative moment not only for the UAE but also for the international art world.