LONDON — Art Basel is expanding its reach and will make its debut in the Middle East with Art Basel Qatar in February.
The art fair will be formed by MCH Group, the parent company of Art Basel along with Qatar Sports Investments, an investor in sports, culture, entertainment and lifestyle in the region, and the QC+ strategic and creative collective.
Art Basel Qatar will be taking place in Doha, the country’s capital city and will showcase modern and contemporary art from the artists and galleries across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
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The fair will be divided between two incubation spaces in downtown Msheireb: M7 and the Doha Design District.
Art Basel Qatar is part of the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s mission to drive social and economic development within the region.
“As part of His Highness the Amir’s National Vision 2030, Qatar has been transforming itself into a knowledge-based economy, with culture and the creative industries helping to lead the way. We have built a thriving ecosystem of culture and sports, harnessing the capacity of both to break down barriers, create shared experiences, increase understanding and drive positive change,” said Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums.
Qatar has been doubling down on its cultural initiatives.
The country opened the National Museum of Qatar in 2019 and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum in 2022. Later this year, Qatar will be opening the Lusail Museum and DADU: Children’s Museum of Qatar.
Noah Horowitz, chief executive officer of Art Basel, said, “Growing the global art market, supporting artists and galleries and developing new collecting audiences is core to Art Basel’s mission. The art scene across the MENA region has undergone exponential growth in recent decades, with the establishment of world-class institutions, the launch of leading cultural events and the growth of a vibrant community of artists, galleries and professionals.”