Abu dhabi: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced the dates and theme for the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Public Art Biennale 2026. The Biennale will launch in Al Ain on October 23 and officially open in Abu Dhabi on November 15, transforming public spaces in both cities into vibrant platforms for creativity and community dialogue.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the event will be organized under the artistic direction of Elvira Diangani-Oss©, former director of the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA). The 2026 edition is themed ‘Dar: A Dictionary of Shared Space,’ exploring the concept of ‘Dar’ as a dynamic, collective, and multidimensional space that transcends a fixed geographical location. It aims to reflect human relationships, belonging, and shared experiences.
The Biennale will feature artworks distributed across multiple locations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, emphasizing research-based artistic practices and offering free interactive programs for the public. This approach is designed to foster sustainable engagement with art in public spaces and encourage community participation, moving beyond the concept of temporary exhibitions.
This edition builds on the success of the inaugural Biennale, held in 2024 and 2025 under the theme “For the Public.” The inaugural event featured artists from the UAE and around the world, creating works specifically designed for public spaces in the emirate. Many of these works continued to resonate after the Biennale concluded, with several being acquired or retained as permanent installations, enriching Abu Dhabi’s growing public art scene.
The upcoming edition will embrace the concept of public art as a civic practice that fosters community engagement, collectively generates meaning, and cultivates a sense of place. It will reflect the cultural diversity and multi-layered reality of Abu Dhabi’s urban landscape, providing a space for dialogue and interaction between art and society. This initiative is part of the Abu Dhabi Public Art Programme.