NASO Art Market: How are Cultural Institutions in the MENA Region Developing Sustainable Models for Growth?
The MENA region is undergoing a remarkable surge in the art and culture sector. With Art Basel set to launch a new show in Doha next year and a wave of new galleries and institutions emerging across the region, growth is undeniable. But as this momentum builds, an important question arises: Are these institutions creating models for growth that are truly sustainable? What might some of these strategies for long-term growth look like?
Strengthening Local Engagement:
Arguably one of the most important pillars to ensure sustainable growth - investing in community outreach and education can be instrumental in building a lasting cultural ecosystem. Beyond that, these initiatives can cultivate a long-term collector base and foster sustained interest and engagement within the local art scene. There are a wide number of institutions within the region that have diversified their programming in line with this, to include workshops, lectures and collaborations with local schools or universities.
Jameel Arts Centre (Dubai, UAE)
Youth & Community Programming: Jameel arts centre runs a variety of public programs targeting families, children, and schools. The Jameel Library serves as a community resource - offering books, archives, and reading groups focusing on regional art histories and social themes.
ATHR Gallery (Saudi Arabia)
Youth and emerging artist support: ATHR’s “Young Saudi Artists” initiative provides a platform for artists early on in their career - giving them opportunities for mentorship, public engagement and ultimately, growth.
Townhouse Gallery (Cairo, Egypt)
Community-driven Art: Known for its drive for local engagement, Townhouse regularly includes community-driven initiatives - using its location within downtown Cairo to bring art to broader, often underrepresented audiences.
Alternative Strategies for Sustainable Growth:
Embracing Digital Transformation
Since the pandemic, digital strategies have increased avenues for growth within the arts & culture sector, allowing for development within the region as well as expanding reach to global audiences. Some of these avenues included online viewing rooms, as well as the adoption of NFT platforms.
An illustrative example here would be the launch of Art Dubai Digital in 2022. This allowed for Art Dubai to become one of the first major art fairs to formally integrate digital art and NFTs into its program.
Institutional Collaborations & Partnerships:
Through collaboration, especially with global cultural practitioners, local institutions are able to garner increased visibility for MENA-based artists. These collaborations also allow for shared resources and reduced operational burdens - allowing for sustained growth over time.
An example here would be collaborations between Mathaf (Doha, Qatar) and the Tate (UK). One of these collaborations was a pop-up project entitled ‘Future City’ which involved research and dialogue around shared themes - particularly in relation to the Liverpool Biennial and Tate Liverpool.
What Strategies Do You Think Could Help Ensure Sustainable Growth in the Regional Art Market?