How to Explore the Best Art in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, while progressing to one of the most sought out holiday destinations in the Middle East, has polished up its cultural scene to become a sought out hub for arts and culture. In this article on how to explore the best art in Abu Dhabi, you can learn about the nation’s most impressive museums, galleries and cultural precincts.

Prepare to Be Awed By the Art Hub of the Middle East

Abu Dhabi is now home to a branch of the Louvre; a privilege no other Middle Eastern nation has been honoured with. What’s more, the nation may soon be home to an extension of the Guggenheim Gallery too, which will most certainly ‘seal the deal’ for Abu Dhabi, which already enjoys its top position as an art hub. Today, Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of the art world, proud of the niche the country has carved for itself. The Louvre, however, is not all that makes Abu Dhabi an art lover's dream destination. Check out the impressive list of galleries and museums highlighted below to understand why Abu Dhabi’s arts and culture scene is on the world map.

Etihad Modern Art Gallery

This gallery is affiliated with the Houston Museum of Natural Science in the US. The gallery is a hub for showcasing modern works of art by both international and local artists. Hence, visitors are treated to a whole smorgasbord of arts and culture dealing with the talents of photographers, calligraphers, sculptors, painters, potters, screen printers etc. There are interactive workshops that are focused on art across all age groups; as well as popular poetry nights and live music events.

Abu Dhabi Art Hub

This is the kind of place that every aspiring artist dreams about. The Abu Dhabi Art Hub is a collection of spaces that artists can rent to host exhibitions, conduct workshops, or even function as art studios. The complex is home to several galleries, which host the work of artists across different genres, making the Abu Dhabi Art Hub an interesting place to explore.

Salwa Zeidan Gallery

Opened by Salwa Zeidan, a Lebanese artist, this is a pioneer art gallery in Abu Dhabi. The highly acclaimed gallery opened in 1994 to promote local art across minimalistic and modern genres. The standard of art displayed at this gallery is so high that some of the artists have had the privilege of having their work auctioned off at Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Link your stay to the rustic charms of Abu Dhabi by choosing resorts similar to Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort. Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the first sanctuaries opened by Sheikh Zayed for the protection of exotic desert creatures. Enjoy an aesthetic stay at these Abu Dhabi luxury hotels, which promise to nurture the artist in you. They are, in fact, the perfect destination in Abu Dhabi to encourage your creative side to emerge while enjoying a holiday on a rustic desert island.

N2N Gallery

Explore this gallery, home to a range of art from Europe – specifically Ukraine. The gallery adopts an ‘east meets west’ strategy to showcase the varied talents of top European artists. The gallery boasts over 170 works of art, which is the collective work of around 13 renowned artists from Europe.

Warehouse 421

True to its name, Warehouse 421 started out as an actual warehouse, located around the Mina Zayed Port. Wednesday’s are busy days for the gallery which hosts a range of interactive events which draw large crowds from the local artists' communities. Check out the shows consisting of cultural performances, creative talk, workshops, cinematic screenings and more.