Organizer Information
Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the leading international museums in the Middle East and a major cultural institution developed through collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and France. Designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, the museum is internationally recognized for its universal curatorial approach, bringing together art, history, architecture, and cross-cultural narratives from around the world.
Since its opening, Louvre Abu Dhabi has positioned itself as a significant platform for contemporary artistic production in the Gulf region, commissioning ambitious site-specific projects and fostering dialogue between regional and international artistic practices.
Art Here is the museum’s annual contemporary art initiative dedicated to supporting artists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and neighboring cultural geographies. Organized in collaboration with the Swiss luxury watchmaker Richard Mille, the programme provides artists with an important opportunity to develop large-scale public artworks in direct conversation with the museum’s iconic architecture and public spaces.
The 2026 edition, titled Confluences, is curated by Kamini Sawhney and focuses on themes of migration, cultural exchange, memory, labor, identity, and the interconnected histories of the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf.
Title & Description
Art Here 2026: Confluences – Open Call for Large-Scale Sculptures and Installations
Art Here 2026 invites contemporary artists from GCC countries and India to submit proposals for newly commissioned large-scale sculptures and installations designed specifically for the outdoor spaces of Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The 2026 edition explores the theme Confluences, examining how histories, ecologies, cultures, migrations, and maritime routes have shaped the contemporary identities of the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent. The exhibition reflects on how movement across oceans and territories creates new cultural realities through exchange, hybridity, transformation, and coexistence.
Artists are encouraged to propose ambitious site-specific works responding to themes such as:
- Migration and displacement
- Memory and longing
- Labor and transnational exchange
- Oceanic histories
- Cultural hybridity
- Identity and belonging
- Community transformation
- Architecture and environment
Selected artists will create newly commissioned works for the outdoor exhibition spaces beneath Louvre Abu Dhabi’s iconic dome. The programme specifically encourages artistic proposals that engage meaningfully with the architectural identity of the museum and the surrounding waterfront environment.
The exhibition space, known as Al Bahra, includes paved exterior areas and water-facing zones covering approximately 1,780 square meters. Proposed projects should respond thoughtfully to the monumental scale of the site while remaining durable enough for outdoor display under the climatic conditions of Abu Dhabi, including heat, humidity, rain, and wind.
Only proposals for new artworks will be considered. Existing works or editions from previously realized series are not eligible.
The selected projects will become part of Art Here 2026, one of the region’s leading platforms for contemporary public art and large-scale installation practices.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Sculpture
- Installation Art
- Public Art
- Site-Specific Art
- Interdisciplinary Practices
- Environmental Art
- Architecture and Spatial Practices
- Multimedia Installations
- Contemporary Art
- Outdoor Art Installations
Eligibility
The open call is available to:
- Contemporary artists from GCC countries (nationals and residents)
- Indian artists (nationals only)
Applicants must:
- Be professional contemporary artists
- Submit proposals for newly created artworks
- Be able to realize a large-scale outdoor installation
- Meet residency or nationality requirements specified by the organizers
Eligible GCC countries include:
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
Program Benefits & Awards
- Commission opportunity with Louvre Abu Dhabi
- International exhibition exposure
- Production budget support up to AED 140,000
- Public presentation within Art Here 2026
- Participation in the Richard Mille Art Prize programme
- Professional visibility within the international art world
- Opportunity to exhibit in one of the Middle East’s leading museums
- Support for installation and exhibition realization
The production budget may cover:
- Artwork fabrication
- Installation costs
- Artist travel expenses
- Accommodation in Abu Dhabi
- Participation in the exhibition opening
- Attendance at the Richard Mille Art Prize ceremony
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copy of a valid passport
- Proof of residence permit for GCC residents (if applicable)
- Portfolio of previous works
- Artwork concept proposal (maximum 500 words)
- Sustainability methodology and production approach
- Technical specifications and installation requirements
- Images or sketches of the proposed work
- Provisional production and installation budget
Artists are encouraged to work with UAE-based fabricators whenever possible.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
- Exhibition Opening: November 2026
- Richard Mille Art Prize Ceremony: December 2026
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Additional Details
Art Here 2026 strongly emphasizes site-specificity, sustainability, and architectural dialogue. Artists are encouraged to carefully consider environmental durability, material sustainability, and the relationship between contemporary art and public space.
The exhibition spaces include waterfront zones and open-air architectural environments directly integrated into Jean Nouvel’s iconic museum design. Proposed works should respond conceptually and physically to the spatial dynamics of the site.
The programme provides a rare opportunity for artists from the GCC region and India to realize ambitious public installations within a globally recognized museum context while contributing to broader conversations around migration, ecology, history, and cultural interconnectedness.
As one of the most visible contemporary art initiatives in the Gulf region, Art Here has become an important platform for regional artists working across sculpture, installation, and interdisciplinary contemporary practices.