Over the last decade, the United Arab Emirates has made significant strides in establishing itself as a serious player in the international art market. While it remains a relatively young scene compared to long-established hubs like London, New York, or Paris, the UAE is increasingly viewed as a region to watch—ambitious, fast-developing, and strategically positioned.
At Queen’s, we’ve worked with collectors, institutions, and galleries with connections to the Gulf for many years. With growing demand and more frequent movements in and out of the region, we now have experienced team members on the ground in the UAE to support our clients more directly.
The UAE’s art ecosystem has been shaped by significant state and private investment. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, open since 2017, marked a turning point in how the country positioned itself culturally—not simply as a collector or host, but as a long-term custodian of global heritage.
That momentum continues. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is under construction and due to open later in 2025. Art Dubai has matured into a fair of regional importance, drawing galleries from across South Asia, North Africa and the Gulf. Cultural districts like Alserkal Avenue in Dubai are home to serious programming and increasingly well-regarded galleries.
Still, the UAE market remains smaller in scale and volume than traditional centres. It’s not yet a global capital for the secondary market, and institutional collections are still developing. But what the UAE offers is long-term vision, well-funded infrastructure, and a supportive regulatory and logistical environment for cross-border art movement.
Collectors in the UAE—many of them younger, international, and tech-savvy—are showing a growing appetite for both regional and international contemporary art. There’s also an increased focus on supporting artists from the Gulf and MENA region, which is driving institutional exhibitions and acquisitions across the UAE.
At the same time, major international players are making their presence felt. Sotheby’s recently announced a $1 billion partnership with Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, and blue-chip galleries continue to explore expansion or partnership opportunities in the Gulf.
From a logistics and storage perspective, the region is rapidly improving its capacity and infrastructure—but navigating cross-border movements in and out of freeports and across GCC borders still requires careful planning.
While the UAE is not yet a central node in the global art market, its importance is growing. For many of our clients, it’s already a regular destination for exhibitions, art fairs, and private collections.
That’s why we’ve taken the step to establish a more formal presence there. With Queen’s employees now operating in the UAE, we can provide better coordination, visibility, and local knowledge—ensuring that even in a developing market, our clients receive the standard of service they expect in London or New York.
If you’re active in the region or planning a project involving the UAE, our team is now available locally to support your logistics needs. Contact us directly at [email protected] to discuss how we can help.
