Abu Dhabi Art has announced the launch of a new initiative called Friends of Abu Dhabi Art.
The initiative will help support emerging artists in the UAE and create new platforms for their work to be on display.
40 art enthusiasts have been selected as the inaugural group with Friends of Abu Dhabi Art supporting Abu Dhabi Art’s Beyond: Emerging Artists this year.
Individuals that would like to support the initiative can join on the Abu Dhabi Art website with members required to pay an annual membership fee, which will in turn enable the commissioning of new artworks through Abu Dhabi Art.
Membership benefits include opportunities to attend private talks by appointed curators and artists, artist studio visits and events, private tours at the Abu Dhabi Art Fair in November and the commissioning of new work in Abu Dhabi.
Nadine Maalouf, Co-Head of Friends of Abu Dhabi Art and Co-Founder of 81 Designs said, “Friends of Abu Dhabi Art members are ready to support the UAE art ecosystem through this new platform and to play a part in enabling emerging artists from the UAE to develop their work and reach new audiences. We have all joined because of a commitment to supporting art in the UAE and we look forward to ensuring the wider community is engaged and connected to the thriving local art scene. Having attended a curatorial talk by Sam Bardaouil earlier this month I was impressed by their work and left excited to see what new conversations come out of their contribution this year."