The Future

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With such a scale of investment, events and exhibitions happening in bursts of oftentimes frenetic energy, it can be hard to pull out clarity from the noise. Press, galleries and audiences can easily become overstretched as dialogues around the West Asia art scene increase.

     Meanwhile, across the Gulf region the expansion of the arts represents a huge economic opportunity. Data from the World Bank shows that in 2021, the arts and culture sectors contributed only 1.7% and 2.6% to the GDP in Saudi Arabia and the UAE respectively, and yet the UN estimates that a nation’s arts sector can contribute up to 5% of a country’s gross domestic product. The countries, places and people mentioned in this report have made great strides to expand and build upon the rich artistic heritage in the region. 

     For artist Noor AlSuwaidi, who grew up in Abu Dhabi, the expansion of access to art in the region has had a profound impact on her. The first time she saw art in real life was in  Washington DC, working at the National Gallery of Art, “I literally cried when I saw the  artwork and the galleries because it was the  first time that I even saw the painting that I wrote about for a paper.” Years later Noor was part of the team that opened the Louvre Abu Dhabi, “to be able to say that I was part of the team that opened the Louvre Abu Dhabi where people can access art every day, this is amazing.” 

     Myrna Ayad believes that the cultural capitals of Arab nations are now in the Gulf, in part due to unfortunate and political circumstances, but having such a diversity of culture in the region is a strength, “I think it makes us all the more richer, makes us all the more culturally oriented. I’m excited to see what else Saudi will do, I’m excited to see what else the UAE will do.” She goes on to say that, “I’m very proud of where we are, and what we have accomplished in such a short period of time, but I know that we have a lot more to do.”

     Whilst the measure of art’s potential of GDP is quantifiable, there are also intangible benefits to investing in, and expanding the ecosystem of the Gulf’s art sector. Noor AlSuwaidi explains this, “I do believe that having access to art in real life broadens horizons, mindsets, and teaches you about other cultures, about other religions, about customs, traditions, and rituals. I think that is what’s impacting these generations that take their children to these new galleries and museums. For Gaith Abdulla, these are unprecedented and exciting times, “there’s so much happening, things are changing so fast. There’s so much movement, there’s so much potential, there’s so much uncertainty, there’s so much to do.”