DUBAI, UAE – As Dubai cements its position as an international hub for the creative economy and private wealth, the ninth edition of Art Connects Women (ACW) returns to DIFC Gate Village from 12–15 November 2026. Held under the patronage of UNESCO and organised by ZeeArts Gallery in collaboration with Dubai Culture and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), this year’s landmark edition brings together 115 women artists representing 115 countries under the theme “Educate to Empower.”
Beyond its global exhibition, the 2026 programme places a sharp focus on the intersection of private capital, institutional stewardship, and technological innovation in the arts. A centerpiece of the four-day event is the full-day conference on Friday, 13 November 2026, titled “Cultural Investment: Art’s New Era in Sustainable Finance and AI,” which will examine how emerging financial models, artificial intelligence, and cross-sector partnerships are reshaping cultural institutions and the wider art economy.
Opening the conference at 10:45 AM on 13 November, Claire Sobhane, Founder of Dubai-based strategic advisory and cultural consultancy POYAUD, will moderate the flagship panel discussion: “Rethinking Cultural Investment – From Patronage to Sustainable Finance.” The session will bring together senior voices from Christie’s Middle East, Qatar Foundation, and YES Collection to explore how collectors, family offices, luxury houses, and cultural institutions are transitioning from traditional philanthropy toward self-sustaining cultural ecosystems.
“We are witnessing a generational shift in how private capital, family offices, and luxury brands engage with the cultural landscape,” said Claire Sobhane, Founder of POYAUD. “Today’s next-generation leaders and collectors are looking beyond transactional sponsorship or passive collecting. They want to build resilient cultural ecosystems that generate long-term value, preserve heritage, and foster meaningful dialogue across borders. By bringing major institutions and market leaders into the same room as 115 international artists at DIFC, Art Connects Women creates a vital platform where creative vision meets strategic, sustainable capital.”
Operating at the nexus of cultural institutions, luxury brands, and family offices between the Middle East and Europe—particularly France and Italy—POYAUD advises on long-term cultural value creation, bespoke partnerships, and next-generation leadership. Rooted in heritage, authenticity, and the French art de vivre, the firm’s participation in Art Connects Women 2026 reflects a broader evolution in the Gulf’s cultural economy, where bespoke experiences and long-term institutional relationships are increasingly driving contemporary patronage.
“For artists and cultural initiatives to thrive over the long term, creative excellence must be matched by financial literacy, institutional access, and cross-sector networks,” Sobhane added. “True cultural sustainability happens when we bridge the gap between artistic expression and strategic investment—turning fleeting moments of patronage into lasting legacies.”
Founded in Dubai in 2017 by artist and cultural activist Zaahirah Muthy with an inaugural cohort of 20 artists from 20 countries, Art Connects Women has grown into one of the region’s largest international platforms dedicated to female representation in the visual arts. The 2026 theme, “Educate to Empower,” addresses the structural challenges women artists face in the global art market by equipping creatives with the industry knowledge, institutional access, and collector networks required to build sustainable careers.
Art Connects Women 2026 – Programme Highlights & Public Access
- Dates: 12–15 November 2026
- Venue: DIFC Gate Village, Dubai, UAE
- Day 1 – Thursday, 12 November: VIP Private Exhibition Viewing and opening ceremony showcasing artworks from 115 women artists representing 115 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, and Oceania.
- Day 2 – Friday, 13 November: Conference — “Cultural Investment: Art’s New Era in Sustainable Finance and AI.”
- 10:45 AM Opening Panel: “Rethinking Cultural Investment – From Patronage to Sustainable Finance,” featuring Christie’s Middle East, Qatar Foundation, and YES Collection, moderated by Claire Sobhane, Founder of POYAUD.
- Day 3 – Saturday, 14 November: Curated Cultural Tour for visiting international artists, delegates, and cultural leaders.
- Day 4 – Sunday, 15 November: Awards Gala Night (hosted at One&Only Royal Mirage), recognising outstanding international achievements across art, culture, and social impact.
- Public Exhibition Hours: Open to the general public from 13–15 November 2026, daily between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM at DIFC Gate Village.
- – SOURCE: MEDIA RELEASE / SUPPLIED CONTENT WITH IMAGES
