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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.
While many destinations across the world compete with spectacular skyscrapers, mega-resorts and futuristic attractions, Oman is choosing a different path. The Sultanate is emerging as one of the Middle East’s most distinctive travel destinations by offering something increasingly rare: authenticity.
Classical design is making a confident return to contemporary homes—but with a modern twist. Interiors UAE has introduced the Athens Collection by Spanish luxury furniture brand Mariner, a new collection that reimagines centuries-old architectural elegance for today's interiors. Rather than recreating traditional furniture, the collection blends timeless proportions with contemporary craftsmanship, offering homeowners pieces designed to remain relevant for decades.
For centuries, Egypt has captivated the imagination of artists, architects and designers around the world. Its ancient mythology, monumental temples, powerful symbols and timeless beauty continue to inspire new interpretations across different creative fields. This summer, the legendary French maison Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates this fascination with “Fascinating Egypt”, an extraordinary high jewellery collection dedicated to the heritage and mysteries of Ancient Egypt.
At Taymour Grahne Projects, the exhibition Five Painters brings together five emerging female artists from the Gulf, offering a compelling look at how a new generation is redefining contemporary painting. Running until 11 July 2026, the exhibition features more than 20 works by Roudhah Al Mazrouei, Dalal Al-Obaidi, Latifa Alajlan, Hayfa Algwaiz, and Hawazin Alotaibi.
Abu Dhabi is preparing to add another landmark to its growing cultural landscape with the announcement of Dar Al Funoon Abu Dhabi, a major performing arts institution set to open on Saadiyat Island in 2030. The project marks a significant step in the emirate’s long-term cultural vision, reinforcing its position as a global hub for creativity and artistic exchange.
The Middle East and North Africa have long been told through headlines, statistics, and simplified narratives. But a new initiative is shifting the focus back to the people behind the stories.
For decades, the story of the Arab world has often been told through the eyes of outsiders. At the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation on Saadiyat Island, a new exhibition is shifting that perspective entirely.
Qatar is entering a new chapter of urban identity—one defined less by skyline moments and more by lived experience. At the center of this transformation is one place that has quietly become a must-see: Msheireb Downtown Doha.
AlUla has long established itself as one of the Middle East’s most captivating cultural destinations, where ancient history and contemporary creativity exist side by side. Known for its breathtaking desert landscapes and the UNESCO-listed site of Hegra, the Saudi destination continues to expand its artistic vision — this time through the world of jewellery.
Saudi Arabia is taking another bold step in redefining its cultural landscape with the launch of the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA), a landmark project that reflects the Kingdom’s growing investment in the arts.
In Abu Dhabi, the boundaries between art and education are being redefined. The Louvre Abu Dhabi has launched an innovative digital platform that brings museum collections directly into classrooms, transforming the way students engage with art.
In a bold step toward shaping the future of its cultural landscape, Riyadh University of Arts is set to open its doors this September, marking a transformative moment for creative education in the Kingdom.
A new cultural bridge is taking shape as CoLabs partners with the Abdulmonem Al Rashed Humanitarian Foundation, connecting creative communities across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.
The exhibition “Dubai Design District: The Inaugural Exhibition” marks a significant moment in the evolution of the contemporary art scene in Dubai, as the Gary Tatintsian Gallery establishes its presence in the region with a major opening show.
On Saadiyat Island, a new architectural presence is quietly redefining what a museum can be. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, designed by Dutch firm Mecanoo, is not simply a place to observe fossils and dinosaur skeletons. It is emerging as one of Abu Dhabi’s most important public gathering spaces.
As the Middle East’s cultural landscape accelerates into a new era, few figures stand at its crossroads quite like Ridha Moumni. Chairman of the Middle East and Africa at Christie's, Moumni reflects not only on the region’s artistic evolution but on the personal encounters that shaped his vision — from North African architecture to the contemporary art boom in the Gulf.
In Cairo, a quiet revolution is unfolding on bookshelves. For decades, Naguib Mahfouz has stood as a monument of Arabic literature — respected, studied, admired, yet often left unread by younger generations. His novels were seen as classics meant for classrooms, not coffee shops. Today, that perception is changing.
This spring, the spotlight will fall anew on contemporary Arab art as the shortlist for the 7th Ithra Art Prize is revealed — a list that reflects the richness, diversity and critical urgency of artistic practice across the region.
Dubai’s contemporary art scene welcomes a powerful new voice this season with This Bloom I Borrow, the latest solo exhibition by Ethiopian artist Aïda Muluneh, on view at Efie Gallery in Alserkal Avenue.
The Red Sea International Film Festival launched its fifth edition on December 4 in the historic district of Al-Balad, Jeddah — and with it, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its ambition to become one of the world’s most dynamic emerging centers for film, culture, and entertainment.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has marked a pivotal moment in its design journey. As the eighth and final edition of its flagship event Tanween came to a close, Ithra announced a bold transformation: beginning in 2026, the annual gathering will relaunch under a new identity — Ithra Design Week.
Dubai’s artistic landscape is entering a new chapter with the launch of Dom Art Projects, a female-led private art institution that promises to reshape the way art is experienced, discussed and imagined in the region.
The seventh edition of Art Cairo will take place from 22–26 January 2026, hosted at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids.
Dubai, UAE – The 2026 edition of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2026, running 21–27 January in Dubai, will shine a bold spotlight on the transformative power of translation.
VOLTA Basel 2025 Spotlights MENA Pavilion: A Bold Move Turning Heads and Sparking Debate
Noor Al Suwaidi, Divine Chaos
Hartwig Fischer, ex-director of the British Museum, has been named as the founding director of Saudi Arabia’s new Museum of World Cultures
The gallery's name takes inspiration from Bahrain being the first Gulf nation to strike oil
LOEWE is releasing a new collection of bags featuring the house’s iconic Anagram logo patterned within soft canvas jacquard.
New York's government has revealed plans for a 366-meter-long elevated walkway that will connect the High Line in Manhattan to the recently extended Penn Station.
The UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, managed to break two new Guinness World Records records, after the first minutes of the new year 2021 received a huge display of fireworks.
Plans for a new floating resort near Dubai Marina have been unveiled, and it could be the next iconic accommodation option in the city.
The modern and luxurious resort, built into the mountains of the Sharaan Nature Reserve, is set to take visitors on a vivid sensory, spatial and emotional journey through time.
A brand new statue of Harry Potter flying his Nimbus 2000 was unveiled last week in London's Leicester Square.
As New York City moves into Phase Four, lots of public institutions are looking forward to reopening their doors again with some restrictions, including the city’s best museums.
New Mummies Discovered in Egypt May Hold Clues to Finally Finding Cleopatra's Tomb
Last week news broke that Matthew Williams, the American designer behind Alyx, will be taking over as creative director for Givenchy, with his debut collection showing in Paris this October.
The UK has introduced mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving into the country, including returning citizens and residents.
Last week, The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) released a brand new, online portal discussing race, racism, and racial identity.
Italy is on its way to having its own Camino de Santiago with a new route that will connect all of the country's national parks.
Celine is pre-launching a new soft day bag June 5 and it is poised to see lovers of the French house’s accesories fall hard.
The first thing 103-year-old great-great-grandmother Jennie Stejna asked for once she was officially cleared of COVID-19 was to crack open a cold beer to celebrate.
Summer weather has arrived and Target wants to help consumers freshen up their wardrobe with its new Designer Dress Collection.
Nothing New Sneakers Have a Durable, Eco-Friendly Design
A New York City park took social distancing to the next level this weekend by drawing circles several feet apart for people to sit inside.
Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey announced that it will soon reopen its animal safari as a drive-thru.
As clients cut budgets, the public relations firms that serve them are considering everything from reduced fees, salary cuts and layoffs to pivoting services and joining forces in order to stay afloat.
New Yorkers can finally say goodbye to single-use plastic bags for good.
If you’ve fantasized about floating in space but lack the skills and training to make the astronaut life a reality, you still have an opportunity to achieve weightlessness, and you won’t have to exit the earth’s atmosphere to do it.
If you've ever wanted to vacation on a Caribbean island with Mickey Mouse and friends, you could soon be in luck