Dubai Culture is introducing an International Art Fairs Grant to provide financial support for Dubai-based galleries looking to exhibit at art fairs abroad. The grant will cover up to half the cost of a booth.
Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, sees an important role for the Grant in supporting a thriving local art scene that is centred around the city’s galleries. “Participation in renowned art fairs worldwide will create new opportunities for cultural exchange, collaboration, and promote Dubai as a leading centre for artistic excellence.
The aim is to provide more exposure for local artists – eligible galleries must represent either Emirati artists or artists who have been based in the UAE for at least three years – but there’s clearly an intention to help the galleries themselves with an international presence, provided it adds lustre to the Dubai arts ecosystem (“Dubai Culture’s investment in the city’s arts ecosystem through this grant will further emphasise Dubai’s position as the region’s capital for art”).
Eligible galleries can apply for a grant to support up to 50 percent of the cost of a booth for an international art fair. The “up to” will be determined by how many of the stand space is devoted to qualifying artists – meaning Emirati citizens, or artists who have been based in the UAE for at least three years.
Dubai Culture (or rather the people at Art Dubai Group, to whom Dubai Culture seem to have subcontracted the management of the grant) will also define what qualifies as “an international art fair”, presumably to cut out hyperlocal and niche events, and will also vet the actual cost of the booth – sometimes fair organisers roll in all kinds of extras that bump up the apparent cost of a stand.
Galleries can apply if they have “a full-time presence” in Dubai, and there seems to be no time constraints on that. More important, they also need to demonstrate that they have a programme which involves showing in Dubai outside the gallery space. This apparently means exhibiting either through “reputable institutions” or at art fairs (so presumably Sikka or more likely Art Dubai); we’d expect that this requirement would seriously limit the number of qualifying galleries.
But one of those that will definitely fit the mould is Lawrie Shabibi, and William Lawrie called the grant a significant step. “By helping galleries like ours participate in leading art fairs, Dubai Culture is enabling us to expand our reach, showcase our artists globally, and contribute to the dynamic and ever-evolving cultural landscape of Dubai.”
It looks as though the grant process is being managed for Dubai Culture by Art Dubai Group – the info for galleries is available via the Art Dubai website and queries are being directed to Pietro Talamanca, Exhibitor Relations Manager for Art Dubai. This makes sense to us, not only because Art Dubai has experience and resources but also because Art Dubai befits from maximising international exposure for Dubai’s art ecosystem; and of course the established relationship with Dubai Culture includes key initiatives such as Dubai Collection and Dubai Public Art.
Be the first to comment