Arts and Finance at DIFC: A Mismatch Made in Heaven
See how financial districts could cash in fostering culture and arts
DIFC the Gate BuildingDubai Culture & Arts Authority
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DICF) special economic zone was established in 2004 and continues to be a leading financial hub for Middle Eastern, Africa and South Asia markets.
DIFC Art Night (2018)Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
Since its inception, art and culture were a key sector it sought to represent – being involved in the early years of Art Dubai and hosting several significant international exhibitions such as Word into Art from the British Museum, London. It is a globally significant model of integrating art and culture into a business environment.
Artworks at DIFC Art Night (2020)Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
When the Gate Village section of the centre was completed in 2008, its ambition was to be a marketplace of ideas, providing public space and a community of art galleries and fine restaurants, with a focus on retail, leisure and culture.
Its regular DIFC Art Nights which celebrated 10 years in 2020, have long been important events in the city’s cultural calendar.
All the light you see is from the past' artwork (2020)Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
They provide an opportunity for the resident galleries to open late into the evening for special openings and for one-off commissions, installations and performance art pieces, live music and refreshments, which help to make the nights lively and attract a diverse audience.
Portrait of the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum at Art NightDubai Culture & Arts Authority
Both Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses operate from Gate Village. Christie’s was the first auction house in the Middle East when its Dubai office opened in 2005. It has held bi-annual auction seasons ever since, with record-breaking sales.
XVA had a satellite gallery here to supplement their home in Al Fahidi Neighbourhood. Cuadro’s space was the largest gallery in the Middle East, spread over two floors and hosted artists on residencies and supported publications as well as regular, rotating exhibitions.
Malevich Tank (2015) by Almagul MenlibayevaDubai Culture & Arts Authority
The Empty Quarter, co-founded by HRH Reem Al Faisal and Safa Al-Hamed, was the first gallery devoted exclusively to fine art photography. Of the galleries still operating in DIFC, Tabari Artspace moved here from the Fairmont hotel and has been a pioneer in representing Middle Eastern and North African artists since 2003. The art collection of Dr Farhad Farjam including key works by Iranian contemporary masters has a two-floor space in Gate Village.
Steppen Baroque IIIDubai Culture & Arts Authority
International artists are shown at Sconci Art Gallery, who have one of their two Dubai galleries in DIFC (their second is in Dubai Design District). Opera Gallery has always been a central feature in DIFC Gate Village, the group founded in 1994 operate 12 galleries around the world.
My Silk Road to You'Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
In Park Towers, Andakulova Gallery promotes Central Asia contemporary visual arts with a special focus on Uzbekistan. New spaces include Legacy Art, Van De Goudenberg and The Experience. Brownbook Publishing is one of several significant arts companies operating from DIFC.
DIFC Art Night (2018)Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
What is also important for any arts district is a space that encourages networking and conversation.
In DIFC two private members clubs seek to do just that - the Capital Club has been host to several private art events since it opened in 2008 and has recently been joined by an outpost of London’s Arts Club.
Galleries and varied cultural programming at venues across DIFC, which now includes a Jazz Garden launching as part of a Winter Vibes festival, give residents and visitors alike the opportunity of accessing culture.
