Private, advisor-led gallery tours in Dubai
Designed for collectors, art enthusiasts, and international visitors looking to discover and better understand Dubai’s contemporary art scene, these private tours offer a bespoke way to explore the city’s current commercial gallery programme.
Each two-hour tour takes place in Al Quoz and brings together a selection of current exhibitions at some of Dubai’s leading contemporary art galleries. Rather than simply showing you what is on view, the tour provides the context needed to understand the artists, their practices, and the ideas behind their work, as well as the wider commercial context.
The experience:
I lead each tour personally, following a curated walking route through Al Quoz (with a focus on Alserkal Avenue), with galleries selected according to the current exhibitions programme. Alongside an introduction of each gallery, exhibition, and artist, participants will have time in each gallery to look around independently, take in the work, and ask questions before moving on to the next.
The experience is conversational and open to all levels of art knowledge, from those encountering contemporary art for the first time to experienced collectors. It combines the structure and insight of a private gallery tour with the opportunity for a more informal, advisory-style conversation around galleries, collecting, and the market.
The gallery tour is updated every 8–10 weeks to reflect the current exhibitions programme.
Nada Elkalaawy, The Butterfly’s Burden, on view at Lawrie Shabibi in Alserkal Avenue. Courtesy the artist and Lawrie Shabibi. Photo Nicole Kanne.
The tours are designed for:
Established collectors, whether new to the city or long-term residents, looking for clear and accessible context around the city’s current exhibitions, artists, and art market.
First-time collectors seeking a more approachable way into contemporary art and the process of buying it.
Art enthusiasts and international visitors to Dubai looking for a deeper understanding of the local contemporary art scene and its market.
Corporate collectors and groups looking to explore Dubai’s contemporary art scene as part of a collection or cultural programme.
Practical information:
Timings:
Tours are offered Thursday–Saturday, with two-hour tour slots available between 11am and 5pm, and the latest start time at 3pm. Other days and times are available by appointment.
Group size:
Tours are fully private and are not combined with other bookings (a maximum of three guests is recommended to ensure a focused and engaging experience). Larger private and corporate groups can be accommodated by arrangement at a bespoke rate.
Price:
US$450 per 2-hour private tour
Azza Al Qubaisi, Between Land and Sea, on view at Leila Heller Gallery in Alserkal Avenue. Courtesy the artist and Leila Heller Gallery. Photo Nicole Kanne.
Beyond Al Quoz:
For a more comprehensive introduction to Dubai’s commercial gallery scene, including galleries in DIFC and around town, a larger bespoke programme can be arranged to bring together exhibitions and galleries across the city.
Further advisory support:
The tour provides an opportunity to ask questions about artists, galleries, collecting, and the dynamics of Dubai’s commercial art scene, as well as discreet guidance on approaching galleries or potential acquisitions, if of interest.
After the tour has concluded, any further research, acquisition advice, or shipping and logistics support can be provided separately at my standard advisory rate.
How to book:
To enquire about availability and book, please get in touch with your preferred date and time. Before confirming a booking, I would be happy to arrange a call to discuss your interests and what you would like to get from the experience. Once a tour has been confirmed, payment is made in advance to secure the booking. A meeting point will be shared once your booking is confirmed.
A note on independence and transparency: As an independent advisor, I operate transparently and do not accept undisclosed commissions or referral fees from galleries or artists in relation to these tours.