Various events shed light on the details of collecting art in Dubai

«Dubai Collectibles Nights». An exciting journey to explore masterpieces of art

  • A selection of artworks hosted by the "Dubai Collections" initiative. From the source

  • Mona Al Gurg: "The initiative is a unique and innovative model based on combining important artworks from private collections."

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Dubai Collections, the first institutional art collection of modern and contemporary art in Dubai, has announced the launch of the first edition of the Dubai Collections Nights initiative from 25 to 31 March, featuring a series of events and panel discussions. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Collections is a new initiative launched by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and managed in partnership with Art Dubai Group, with the aim of providing the public with the opportunity to explore and appreciate important works of art, and to establish and consolidate the culture of collecting art in the emirate for a long time.

Cultural expressions

Mona Faisal Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of Dubai Collections and Executive Director of the Culture and Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture, said: "The Dubai Collections initiative is proud of its role in stimulating and creating a vibrant atmosphere defined by inspiring cultural expressions, through a unique and innovative model based on combining important artworks from private collections."

Al Gurg added: "The initiative highlights the diversity of Dubai's creative fabric by presenting an ever-evolving collection of artworks that reflect the stories of the city and its people." Our new initiative, 'Dubai Collections Nights', reaffirms the mission of 'Dubai Collections', which aims to build a community of art patrons committed to supporting and igniting the flame of creativity in the emirate, as the initiative provides a new platform for local audiences to explore the stories of the art collection, and connect with members of the creative community, art patrons and professional creators.

Seminars & Sessions

The programme of the first edition of the initiative, which will be held annually, includes a series of panel discussions on institution-building, art collection by influential arts professionals, and an introduction to the institutional collections of A.R.M. Holding, with the aim of demonstrating how modern institutions become an integral part of Dubai's creative scene, as well as film screenings, visits to see collections of art patrons and ceremonies of well-known artists based in the UAE.

The artworks selected from Dubai Collections interact with themes related to the historical development of Dubai and the UAE, and reflect the values of openness, diversity and interconnectedness embodied in the spirit of Dubai and the UAE. Despite its focus on the spirit and history of the UAE and the region, Dubai Collections is a global collection without geographical restrictions, currently representing artists from more than 40 countries.

Arts & Communication

Benedetta Guillon, CEO of Art Dubai, and Carlo Rizzo, Director of Dubai Collections, said that Dubai Collections Nights is the first art initiative that brings together the Dubai Collections community, offering a range of activities that allow local audiences to view the art collection and network with artists and patrons in the emirate. The week-long program of the event will include daily opportunities that enable the public to see the artworks and get to know the collection more.

Innovative System

Dubai Collections, the first institutional art collection of its kind in Dubai, is based on the principle of partnership with the sponsors who support it, through an innovative system that allows them to lend artworks while retaining continuous legal ownership, and the artworks are selected and approved by an independent organizing committee. The public can enjoy all the artworks and find information about artists and sponsors, as well as the contributions of writers, researchers and academics, through the initiative's digital museum.

The selected artworks interact with themes related to the historical development of the Emirate of Dubai.

Film screenings and visits to ceremonies by well-known artists.