Where to Find Great Art in Dubai

When it comes to the U.A.E. and modern art, the focus has largely been on neighboring Abu Dhabi and its branches of the Louvre, set to open this month, and the forthcoming Guggenheim. But Dubai has been a leader in the Middle East contemporary art scene for decades, where leading regional galleries have become champions of Arab artists. The yearly Art Dubai was founded in 2007, and has since become the most prominent contemporary art event in the region, with over 90 galleries from 40 countries taking part. But it’s the permanent galleries and spaces that show off the thriving modern creative scene here—and a tour of some of the best is a great way to spend a day exploring on your own.