Art Dubai, a leading international art fair in the Middle East and South Asia, is set to offer the opportunity to engage with the most extensive showcase of more than 500 artists from the UAE, the region and the world.

The ninth edition of Art Dubai will run from March 18 to 21 at the Madinat Jumeirah, in partnership with The Abraaj Group and sponsored by Julius Baer and Emaar.

Alongside Design Days Dubai, Art Dubai is an anchor event within Art Week. The week-long celebration of arts and culture which begins with Art Season, announced Lubna Ahmed Mohamed Alshamsi of Dubai Culture.

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is the strategic partner of Art Dubai and supports the fair's year-round education programme.

Art Dubai will feature an extensive not-for profit programme, including dynamic commissioned site-specific works for Art Dubai Projects; an exhibition by winners of The Abraaj Group Art Prize; the critically-acclaimed, five-day conference Global Art Forum; a live radio station; film and video screenings; The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program for children and teenagers; plus an engaging programme of curator-led tours, book launches, talks and collateral events.

Antonia Carver, fair director, Art Dubai, said: “Over the past nine years, Art Dubai has evolved into an extraordinarily dynamic art fair, with a particular emphasis on diversity and quality.

“The fair echoes the expansion of the arts infrastructure in the UAE and the region. Our roots are firmly grounded in the UAE arts scene and we believe this year's fair reflects Dubai’s identity as a major cultural city, alongside its role as a hub for trade, finance and transport. Art Dubai’s growth has been organic and supported by a highly motivated audience of artists, curators, gallerists, patrons and enthusiasts.”

The event’s programmes include Art Dubai Contemporary, Art Dubai Modern, Market, Art Dubai Projects, the Abraaj Group Art Prize, Global Art Forum, and Art Dubai Education. - TradeArabia News Service