Art Basel Qatar is set to make its highly anticipated debut from 5 to 7 February 2026, marking a significant milestone in the global art calendar and the cultural evolution of Qatar. Held in collaboration with Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) and QC+, the inaugural edition will take place across Msheireb Downtown Doha, positioning the city as a major hub for contemporary artistic dialogue.

Curated by acclaimed artist Wael Shawky, the first edition will feature 87 international galleries and present works by 84 artists, reflecting a wide spectrum of artistic practices from across the MENASA region and beyond. At the heart of the fair lies the curatorial theme “Becoming”, which explores transformation, identity, and the shifting relationship between individuals, societies, and places.

A defining highlight of Art Basel Qatar 2026 is its ambitious Special Projects programme, curated by Shawky in collaboration with Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Fairs. This programme will consist of nine large-scale, site-specific installations, performances, and sculptures integrated into the urban fabric of Msheireb.

Participating artists include Abraham Cruzvillegas, whose ongoing autoconstrucción project examines adaptability and social structures, and Bruce Nauman, presenting a newly conceived three-dimensional video work inspired by Samuel Beckett. Hassan Khan will debut a sound-based project blending music and digital systems, while Khalil Rabah will present a new iteration of his long-standing institutional critique through sculptural adaptation.

Other notable contributions include Nalini Malani’s powerful video work projected onto the façade of M7, Nour Jaouda’s architectural “rest house” reflecting states of becoming, and Rayyane Tabet’s immersive meditation on rest and memory. Sumayya Vally will envision a contemporary majlis rooted in Islamic architectural heritage, while Sweat Variant (Okwui Okpokwasili and Peter Born) will perform a durational movement piece exploring endurance, memory, and attention.

Together, these public artworks form the largest outdoor and site-responsive programme ever presented by Art Basel. More than a fair, Art Basel Qatar 2026 emerges as a platform for reflection on cultural identity, socio-political realities, and artistic transformation, firmly anchoring Doha within the global contemporary art landscape.