Over the years, World Art Dubai has become a must-attend event for art enthusiasts and collectors from the Middle East and beyond. More than just a fair, this event stands out for its commitment to making art accessible and creating a space where emerging and established artists can meet, exchange ideas, and thrive.
For this new edition, we spoke with Asma Al Sharif, Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre, who reveals what makes World Art Dubai unique among international art fairs. She also shares her ambitions for the 2025 edition, which focuses on accessibility, diversity, and expanding artistic influence on a global scale.
Hello Asma Al Sharif, what makes World Art Dubai unique compared to other international art fairs, and what is your main objective for this year’s edition?
World Art Dubai 2025 is truly ‘Where the World’s Art Comes Together,’ offering a vibrant platform for both emerging and established talent. As the Middle East’s largest and most accessible retail art fair, we welcome art enthusiasts, collectors, and businesses to explore 10,000+ artworks from over 400 artists and galleries representing 65 countries.
This year, our main objective is twofold: to increase global awareness and attendance, and to position World Art Dubai as the region’s go-to event for accessible art—ranging from $100 to $20,000—while fostering an environment where art meets opportunity, community, and celebration. By connecting artists with interior designers, F&B businesses, and real estate developers, we’re helping them grow their reach, expand their networks, and showcase the unique messages they bring to the global art scene.
How do you select the artists and galleries participating in the fair, and what criteria do you prioritise?
Our esteemed curatorial team, which includes Batool Jafri, Samar Kamel, and Gottfried Eisenberger, meticulously oversees our selection process. These curators bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the art world, ensuring that World Art Dubai presents a diverse and exceptional collection of artworks.
We place equal importance on artistic quality and accessibility, reflecting our commitment to making art inclusive for all. By curating a diverse range of styles, price points, and cultural backgrounds the fair ensures that visitors can discover something that speaks to them—whether they’re first-time buyers, seasoned collectors, or businesses looking to enhance their spaces.
We also seek out galleries and artists who share our ethos of community, creativity, and opportunity. By curating works that span multiple genres—from painting and sculpture to digital art—we create a unique showcase of global talent right here in Dubai.
For this edition, we introduced a new online curation platform, which allows for a smoother and more rapid curation process, ensuring artists receive timely decisions on their submissions.
How does World Art Dubai support emerging artists and promote diversity in the art world?
Supporting emerging artists and championing diversity is at the core of World Art Dubai’s mission. The fair offers platforms such as the World Art Dubai Awards, which celebrates outstanding talent, providing artists with valuable recognition and increased exposure. The World Art Dubai Residency Programme enables artists to immerse themselves in a creative environment, fostering growth and collaboration. Additionally, the World Art Dubai Public Art Programme gives artists the chance to showcase their work through engaging public installations, which World Art Dubai Mentorship Programme connects emerging talent with experienced professionals for guidance and career development.
Youth empowerment takes centre stage at WAD 2025 through a dynamic programme of mentorships, competitions, and exhibitions for students of all ages. The WAD Future Artists competition, themed ‘Future Visions,’ invites primary and secondary students to imagine the world 50+ years from now, expressing their hopes and dreams through art. Emirati students can elevate their artistic journey with the WAD Mentorship Programme, collaborating with renowned artists like Rashid Al Mulla, Dr. Najat Makki, and Abdulraheem Salim. For university students, the Sketch to Reality Competition challenges undergraduates in art, design, and architecture to create innovative furniture designs, bridging creativity with real-world application and fostering the next generation of talent.
To further champion diversity and accessibility, World Art Dubai’s extensive programme includes insightful sessions like The Impact of AI on Art and Artists, Lenticular Meets Art, and Art as a Business – How to Take Your Career to the Next Level. These events provide learning opportunities and practical insights, ensuring artists from all backgrounds can thrive and connect with collectors, businesses and fellow creatives.
With the rise of digital platforms, how does World Art Dubai leverage online tools to expand its audience and connect artists with collectors globally?
At the heart of WAD’s digital strategy is its interactive website, which acts as a central hub for all things related to the event. The website offers a seamless user experience, allowing visitors to explore artist profiles, browse artworks, and purchase tickets with ease. It also features a comprehensive event schedule and online map, making it easy for attendees to plan their visit and maximise their experience.
Additionally, the website hosts videos of past events, artist interviews, and testimonials, offering a glimpse into the vibrant atmosphere of WAD and encouraging new visitors to join.
For this edition, we’ve also extended the scope of the site to host an online silent auction, in conjunction with Diarbid Arthouse and charity partner Soroptimist. Utilising an online auction and payment system for artworks exhibited during the show, and putting them up for bids through the show's website post-event provides artists with a valuable opportunity to continue selling their work even after the show ends.
By leveraging these digital tools, World Art Dubai has successfully bridged the gap between artists and collectors on a global scale. The social media campaign amplifies the visibility of artists, while the newsletters keep collectors informed about new opportunities to acquire art.
How does your partnership with ArtMajeur by YourArt enhance the visibility and accessibility of the fair’s artists beyond the physical event?
Our collaboration with ArtMajeur by YourArt is a strategic extension of our mission to make art accessible to everyone. With its extensive online reach—spanning over 843,000 unique monthly visitors and 1.1 million social media followers—ArtMajeur provides an invaluable platform for artists to showcase their work globally. Through tools like semantic search and AI-driven curation, potential buyers, interior designers, F&B businesses, and real estate developers can easily discover and purchase artworks.
This synergy ensures that our exhibitors continue to gain exposure and engage with diverse audiences well after the fair, solidifying World Art Dubai as an ongoing hub for art discovery, cultural exchange, and business opportunities.
We’re excited to welcome everyone to World Art Dubai 2025 from April 17–20 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with an invitation-only VIP evening offering an exclusive preview on April 16. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, an avid collector, or a business seeking transformative art for your spaces, there’s something for everyone at the Middle East’s most accessible art fair.
Thank you, Asma Al Sharif, for your insights and thoughtful responses on this year’s edition of World Art Dubai.
With its strong focus on accessibility, diversity, and innovation, WAD 2025 is set to be a key event for art lovers, collectors, and artists from around the world.
We look forward to seeing you at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 17 to 20 for an exciting and inspiring edition.
Nicolas Sarazin