With over 15 museums dedicated to nearly every type of art exhibition, there is no shortage of places for art aficionados in Sharjah. As an arts hub, connoisseurs often spend their time visiting art gallery after art gallery. Visit the third largest emirate in the UAE and experience the most breath-taking examples of modern art, contemporary art, Arabic art, Arabic calligraphy and so much more.
Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah Art Museum offers art lovers the opportunity to admire the art collections and temporary exhibitions hosted and organized by the museum. It hosts local and international exhibitions, cultural activities and artistic and educational workshops throughout the year.
Visitors can view exhibitions and permanent collections by renowned artists in this stunning museum. Explore the history of the region through the fascinating masterpieces by local painters and Arab artists who have significantly enriched the Arab art scene.
The Art Library embraces over 4000 titles in Arabic, English and other languages, along with visual and audio materials.
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Located in the house of Hamad Al Midfa in the Heart of Sharjah, this is the only museum in the Arab world devoted entirely to calligraphy. Here, you can discover the evolution of the Arabic calligraphy over time, as you enjoy artworks with stunning calligraphic texts, letters and shapes. Set around a light-filled, covered courtyard, the museum explores the history of calligraphy from early Kufic scripts to more fluid styles, and celebrates this timeless Islamic art form.
The artworks displayed highlight the masterly talents of local and international artists and calligraphers; their paintings, meticulously created, carry a deep meaning and a valuable historical background.
Feeling inspired? Take part in a workshop to develop your own calligraphy skills.
Maraya Art Centre
Established in 2006, Maraya Art Centre is a non-profit creative organization located in Sharjah, U.A.E. Maraya Art Centre offers innovative programmes through its multifaceted initiatives, and public outreach activities including workshops, lectures, talks and other art related events.
Maraya Art Centre strives to support emerging artists and designers in a comprehensive way, providing opportunities for continual growth through research, exhibition and project development across its initiatives including: The Maraya Art Gallery, 1971 Design Space, Maraya Art Park, Maraya Residencies, Jedariya and Maraya Project Space.
The Centre hosts a growing recourse library and video archive open for the public.
Rain Room
The Rain Room is a unique modern art installation, offering an inspirational and magical experience for visitors. Created by the London and Berlin-based Random International, the Rain Room is now permanently located in Sharjah. The installation has been displayed at the world’s most famous museums, including MoMA in New York and Barbican in London.
This site-specific installation uses 2,500 litres of self-cleaning recycled water, which is controlled through a system of networked 3D tracking cameras. The work explores how humankind’s relationships to one another and to nature are increasingly mediated through intangible technologies. This contemporary art installation is supported by the Sharjah Art Foundation.
Sharjah Biennial
The Sharjah Biennial is the largest art event in the Arab world and has gained a reputation for genuinely thought-provoking art. For artists and art aficionados, its venue is one of the most important places to visit in Sharjah.
Organised by the Sharjah Art Foundation, this two-month event brings cutting-edge contemporary art to the emirate in a show that leads the region’s artistic conversation and is highly regarded by the industry elite. The biennial aims to foster international dialogue through exhibitions and experimentation in all forms of art, including abstract art, pop art and Arabic art.
Since 1993, the Sharjah Biennial has been one of the most prominent Sharjah events for art in the region. It has commissioned, produced and presented large-scale public installations, including on the historic Sharjah Corniche. It hosts performances and films by artists from around the world, bringing international art to local artists while also sharing knowledge on art in Arab tradition.
As one of the emirate’s most important cultural events, the biennial also features exhibits in the Heart of Sharjah, where parents and children can have an artistic family experience. Sharjah Biennial 15: Thinking Historically in the Present (SB15) will open in February 2023.