Art Basel debuts in Qatar in February

Art Basel, together with its parent company MCH Group, and leading Qatari organisations Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), a major investor in sports, culture, entertainment and lifestyle, and QC+, a strategic and creative collective specialising in cultural commerce, has announced a unique partnership that will include the launch of a new fair of modern and contemporary art in Qatar.

Debuting in Doha in February 2026, Art Basel Qatar will embed itself in Qatar’s cultural landscape and arts ecosystem of the Mena region, providing a platform to showcase leading galleries and artistic talent from the Mena, South Asia and further afield.

The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar will be held in M7 creative hub and the Doha Design District in Msheireb Downtown Doha. Art Basel Qatar will offer a gateway into the creative culture of the Middle East for the stakeholders and audiences of Art Basel and expand the circle of collectors, gallerists, artists and cultural leaders from the Mena region and around the world.

The fair will launch as a tightly curated showcase featuring a select group of leading galleries and artists. Through educational programming and market development strategies, public arts engagement and more, Art Basel Qatar will holistically weave into the fabric of Qatar and further catalyse a growing collector and gallery network.

HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), said: “As part of His Highness the Amir’s National Vision 2030, Qatar has been transforming itself into a knowledge-based economy, with culture and the creative industries helping to lead the way. We have built a thriving ecosystem of culture and sports, harnessing the capacity of both to break down barriers, create shared experiences, increase understanding and drive positive change.

“We have opened the National Museum of Qatar and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and this year we will launch the Lusail Museum and DADU: Children’s Museum of Qatar. We have also opened a variety of creative hubs — from the Fire Station: Artist in Residence to M7 and Liwan Design Studios and Labs.

“As Qatar Museums marks its twentieth anniversary, we are pleased to welcome the Art Basel organisation as our partner to further elevate Qatar’s initiatives to support the creative industries of our region, offering exceptional new artistic experiences and opportunities to our talent.”

HE Nasser al-Khelaïfi, chairman of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), said, “As a leading investor in sports, culture, entertainment and lifestyle, QSI is very proud and excited to play a role in bringing the world-renowned Art Basel fair to Qatar and our region as part of the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”

With its expertise in cultural commerce and art curation, exhibition design and visitor engagement, QC+ has played a pivotal role in developing Qatar’s cultural infrastructure.

Art Basel brings to this project its 50-year history of creating the world’s leading art fairs in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Defined by its host city and region, each Art Basel show is unique, as reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented and the parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions.

Andrea Zappia, chairman and group CEO at MCH Group, said: “This is a groundbreaking project based on the unity of intent of ambitious organisations and we believe we will build something completely new that will attract art buyers and fans from the region and all over the world.”

Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, said, “We are compelled by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s singular vision for the arts ecosystem in Qatar, and we share a commitment to supporting artists in realising their highest potential.”