Art Basel Quatar | 05.02.-07.02.2026

The upcoming Art Basel Qatar art fair will take place in Doha from February 5 to 7, 2026, marking the expansion of the renowned Art Basel into the Middle East. The aim and focus of the fair is to create a platform for modern and contemporary art that combines both regional and international perspectives and offers a deep insight into the art scene of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA region).

Special features:
Special features of Art Basel Qatar include an innovative fair format that deviates from the traditional booth model to focus on artistic vision and conceptual rigor. The first edition will be dedicated to the theme of “Becoming,” exploring the transformation of humanity and the evolving systems that shape our lives, beliefs, and sense of meaning. Egyptian artist Wael Shawky will serve as artistic director of the inaugural event and will lead the curatorial vision alongside Vincenzo de Bellis, chief artistic officer and global director of fairs at Art Basel. The fair will prioritize solo presentations by galleries within this thematic framework.

Target audience:
Art Basel Qatar’s target audience is international and regional collectors, gallery owners, curators, museum professionals, and art lovers interested in the diverse art scene of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Both established and emerging galleries and artists will be featured.

History:

Art Basel was founded in Basel, Switzerland, in 1970 and has since grown into one of the world’s leading art fairs, with annual editions in Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Art Basel Qatar is the fifth fair in the global portfolio and was launched in partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and the cultural agency QC+ to underscore Qatar’s growing importance as a cultural center and strengthen the region’s art landscape.

Location and date:

⦁ Location: M7 and Doha Design District (Msheireb Downtown Doha, Al Jeewan St, Doha, Qatar)
⦁ Date: Public days: February 5–7, 2026

Abb. Oben:  M7 in Doha – Courtesy of Art Basel.