Best places to visit in Abu Dhabi for art | Museums & Galleries | BBC

BBC showcases Abu Dhabi’s art scene with Emirati artists making a mark in the art world in Abu Dhabi Art Galleries.
There are great places to visit in Abu Dhabi for lovers of art. Read more below to explore art in the UAE capital and make sure you SUBSCRIBE for top travel tips and insider info on the Visit Abu Dhabi channel: / @visitabudhabichannel
There's more to the UAE capital than the spectacular high-rises, entertainment, iconic landmarks and luxurious hospitality - Abu Dhabi offers an increasingly vibrant art scene. BBC highlights the creative scene of Abu Dhabi through an artist's view. Watch Emirati Afra Al Dhaheri, a young artist from Abu Dhabi take us on an art-inspired tour of the UAE capital.
Art and art galleries
Abu Dhabi city is rich in culture and art, with several established and emerging UAE artists catching the world’s attention. You’ll find an impressive array of reputable and impressive galleries throughout the UAE capital, featuring exhibitions showcasing local and international art, as well as traditional Arabian artefacts.
Cultural Foundation
In an endeavour to engage the country in cross-cultural dialogue with the wider international community, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - the founder of the UAE - was committed to creating an environment conducive to cultivating and elevating minds and touching the world. The Cultural Foundation brought these visions to life in 1981. And since, the cultural hub has continued to host a series of groundbreaking programmes and workshops celebrating local and regional culture and art forms, and encouraging cross-cultural exchanges on many new fronts.
Warehouse421
A stunning cultural destination and exhibition space in Abu Dhabi’s port area of Mina Zayed, Warehouse421 takes its name from the area’s original warehouses that have now been transformed into a platform for artistic expression and the development of the UAE’s creative community. As a primary exhibition venue in the UAE capital, Warehouse421 showcases a roster of galleries and art shows, setting a larger stage for creativity throughout the city.
District 10
This is not your regular coffee shop. Boasting interiors that are perfect for foodies who like to document their eating and drinking experiences on Instagram, District 10 is a delightful and inspiring place for the youngsters. District 10 is a hub for the creative youth. They call themselves a cultural salon. The café regularly hosts book discussions, poetry nights and music nights encouraging promising artists but also developing the scene for emerging artists.
Manarat Al Saadiyat
Saadiyat Island’s art, cultural activity and community events centre, Manarat Al Saadiyat brings Saadiyat's vision to life, encouraging visitors to come together and share, experiment, create their own art, discover exhibitions, exchange ideas, enjoy sumptuous food or listen to talks.
Meaning 'a place of enlightenment' in Arabic, Manarat Al Saadiyat is home to the annual Abu Dhabi Art fair, as well as an outdoor events terrace, café and brasserie, three galleries for temporary exhibits, a photography studio, an art studio, 250-seat auditorium and gift shop.
The art hub hosts an ongoing series of activities for the local and visiting community, including art workshops for children and adults. It also serves as a venue for entertainment, theatre workshops, yoga classes, conferences, exhibitions, talks and film screenings throughout the year.
Calling all art fans - if you’re coming to visit UAE and you’re thinking of a Dubai trip, make sure you add Abu Dhabi to your UAE trip. Visit Abu Dhabi before or after your Dubai vacation. You’ll be happy to know that most Abu Dhabi attractions are less than an hour’s drive from Dubai.
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