Getting Arty........

Having lived in Dubai for the last 7 years, I can tell you, when I moved here there were not many choices of outlets where you could enjoy ART. However, that has thankfully changed. We now have countless art galleries (ok so not all of them could/should be called 'ART' galleries, but hey they try!) and we also have many events where art in its many and various forms is celebrated.

To name a few:

Art Dubai
Art Dubai takes place every March at the Madinat Arena. As the first contemporary art fair in Dubai, the Fair has become a cornerstone for the rapidly growing art community of the Middle East. Various art galleries from different corners of the world attend and it's an eclectic mix of many different artists. Very interesting and well worth attending, even if it means flying over! But, make sure you book your hotel/flights in advance because hotels in Dubai get booked extremely fast!
For more info: http://www.artdubai.ae/

DIAC - Art Center
Today we remain quintessentially a non-profit community centre, with a 'safe-haven' feel, enriching the local art and culture scene, with over 1,500 members of 67 nationalities, representing a mini Dubai in colour. For the artist and art enthusiast DIAC offers an integral space equipped with the tools necessary to experience the real thing and develop a personal artistic journey. By organising biannual members exhibits and craft fairs the artists are empowered to market their work and form links to the public and media. For the art lover DIAC expands the horizon by organising opportunities for a closer encounter with art through inviting artists and collectors to speak or by organising visits to studios, galleries, and museums in Dubai and abroad. For local and international artists DIAC offers a platform to make an individual mark by exhibiting in its professionally run Gallery 76.
For more info: http://www.artdubai.com/page.cfm?page_id=15

Artspace
Artspace Gallery was founded in 2003. The Gallery is located on the 9th floor of The Fairmont Hotel, Dubai. Art Space is dedicated to promotion of Contemprary Middle Eastern Art and Artists.
For more info: http://www.artspace-dubai.com/

Courtyard
This gallery is a bit of the unconventional gallery in Dubai and boasts a really interesting line-up of artists from the region. Well worth a visit, with an art store and some smaller galleries attached to it as well.
For more info: http://www.courtyard-uae.com/

The Third Line
Contemporary, very chique and very now. Has a very interesting line-up of artists from across the region.
For more info: http://www.thethirdline.com/index.htm

Jam Jar
What started as a small space close to Lamcy where you could go and paint has now also come to mean a gallery. It also moved to Al Quoz area to offer bigger space. Very welcoming, interesting and different.
For more info: http://www.thejamjardubai.com/

Creek Art Fair
Taking place for the second time, the Creek Art Fair (CAF) takes place in 20 houses of Bastakiya, the historical district of Dubai. Running in parallel to Art Dubai and the Dubai World Cup, the CAF focuses on new and emerging talents. As so often with fringe art fairs, the CAF is a satellite platform that aims at drawing attention to young and innovative artistic talents.
For more info: http://creekartfair.com/

And many, many more...............list is too long to post on here.
But at last Dubai is placing itself on the cultural and artsy fartsy map of the world.
And we are all rejoicing.

Yiipppieeee.