Art Basel lands in Qatar. The world’s leading art fair, after Basel, Hong Kong, Miami, and Paris will also have a date in the Middle Eastern country of Doha: it starts in February 2026. The announcement came today from Art Basel, along with its parent company MCH Group and Qatari organizations Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+, which have activated a partnership with the art fair giant to launch the new fair in Doha. The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar, that is the name of the fair, will be held at theM7 creative hub and the Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb, in close proximity to world-famous landmarks, including the Qatar National Museum.
Art Basel Qatar’s intention is to work on the Middle East’s circle of collectors, gallerists, artists, and cultural leaders: the fair will feature a select group of leading galleries and artists, and will be designed, Art Basel’s top management knows, to meet the needs of today’s market and lay the groundwork for growth. Through educational programs and market development strategies, public arts involvement and more, Art Basel Qatar will also integrate itself into the fabric of Qatar and seek to further catalyze a growing network of collectors and galleries.
Qatar is seeking to promote itself as a cultural leader, according to a precise program prepared by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who has tasked his sister, Sheikha Al-Mayassa Al-Thani, chairman of Qatar Museums, with leading the country’s cultural sector: Qatar has thus intervened in world markets to create its own art collections, begun opening museums and exhibitions, founded design and photography festivals, and established incubators for the film, fashion, and design industries. Current initiatives include the creation of the future Art Mill Museum, the development of the future Lusail Museum, and the creation of a permanent Qatari Pavilion at the Venice Biennale at the Giardini, the latter fact of historical significance given the difficulty for a country to procure a pavilion at the Giardini.
“As part of His Highness the Emir’s National Vision 2030,” says Sheikha Al-Thani, “Qatar is transforming into a knowledge-based economy, with culture and creative industries helping to lead the way. We have built a thriving ecosystem of culture and sports, leveraging the ability of both to break down barriers, create shared experiences, increase understanding and drive positive change. We have inaugurated the Qatar National Museum and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and this year we will inaugurate the Lusail Museum and DADU: Children’s Museum of Qatar. We also inaugurated a variety of creative hubs, from Fire Station to M7 and Liwan design studios and workshops. When we welcomed the world to Hamad International Airport for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the power of blending culture and sports could not have been more evident. As Qatar Museums celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are delighted to welcome the Art Basel organization as our partner to further promote Qatar’s initiatives to support our region’s creative industries, providing exceptional new art experiences and opportunities for our talents.”
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), said, “As a leading investor in sports, culture, entertainment and lifestyle, QSI is very proud and excited to play a role in bringing the world-renowned Art Basel fair to Qatar and our region, as part of the legacy of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. As that event unforgettably demonstrated, sports and culture are closely linked in their ability to unite people and unite the world, a goal that is at the core of QSI’s mission. We are delighted to partner with QC+ and welcome Art Basel to Qatar, a partnership that will inspire the region and bring further investment to a great cultural organization.”
Art Basel brings to this project its 50 years of experience in creating the world’s leading art fairs in Europe, America and Asia. Founded in 1970 by Basel gallerists, Art Basel today organizes the world’s most important modern and contemporary art fairs: each edition, characterized by its host city and region, aims to be unique, and this approach is reflected in the participating galleries, the works presented, and the content of the parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has extended beyond art fairs through new digital platforms and initiatives, such as The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and Art Basel Shop.
Andrea Zappia, president and CEO of MCH Group, said, “We are very proud to partner with QSI and QC+. This is an innovative project based on the unity of purpose of ambitious organizations.We believe we will build something completely new that will attract buyers and art lovers from the region and around the world. We would like to thank the partners who, under the leadership of His Highness the Emir, have firmly believed in this collaboration from day one and have chosen Art Basel as a key driver to support Qatar’s cultural, sports and tourism vision. We are committed to the growth of Art Basel, and after the launch of Art Basel Paris in 2022, we are ready to add a fifth fair to our exclusive and successful portfolio. MCH Group, owner of Art Basel, is committed to contributing unique resources and expertise to this partnership to ensure its long-term success.”
Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, said, “Growing the global art market, supporting artists and galleries, and developing a new audience of collectors are central to Art Basel’s mission. The art scene in the Middle East has experienced exponential growth in recent decades, with the emergence of world-class institutions, the launch of leading cultural events, and the growth of a vibrant community of artists, galleries, and professionals. We are deeply motivated by Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani’s unique vision for the arts ecosystem in Qatar and share her commitment to supporting artists in realizing their fullest potential. We are equally energized by the opportunities presented by our collaboration with QSI and QC+ to create new outlets for the widest possible audience. Qatar’s rich collections, its history as a major cultural institution, and unique role as an incubator and promoter of talent position the new Art Basel Qatar for success on the world stage.”
|
|
| The world's most important art fair arrives in Qatar: Art Basel lands in Doha |
Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
