Art Connects Women 2026 in Dubai: 115 artists from 115 countries, dates, timings and what to see at DIFC

Dubai: How many women artists can you name? If you only need one hand to count them off your fingers, it’s time to discover more. Around 115 female artists from 115 countries are gathering, starting tomorrow, at Art Connects Women 2026, in Dubai. Here’s everything you need to know about the event that’s placing talented women artists centrestage. What is Art Connects Women? 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 event, which celebrates women artists and showcases their artwork, is in its ninth year, and is organised by Muthy’s Dubai-based ZeeArts Gallery. It is being held under the patronage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in collaboration with Dubai Culture and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). What is the exhibition about? The event’s 2026 theme, ‘Educate to Empower’, is highlighting the talent of dozens of women artists in an exhibition at DIFC that will be open for public viewing. The theme also addresses the structural challenges women artists face in the global art market, by equipping creatives with the industry knowledge, institutional access, and collector networks they require to build sustainable careers. When is the event taking place? The ninth edition of the event returns to DIFC Gate Village from November 12 to 15. The four-day event features a VIP private exhibition viewing on the first day, with the exhibition open to the public from November 13 to 15, from 3pm to 10pm daily. What can I expect from the event? Beyond its global exhibition, the Art Connects Women 2026 programme places a sharp focus on the intersection of private capital, institutional stewardship, and technological innovation in the arts. Here are some features to note: Exhibition This year, under Art Connects Women theme ‘Educate to Empower’, the event highlights the transformative role of education in unleashing human potential, and the urgent need to place arts education at the core of empowerment. The exhibition, which is open to the public, features 115 women artists representing 115 countries. You can explore different voices, united in their creativity, storytelling, and cultural diversity. The exhibition amplifies women’s voices from around the world, nurtures intergenerational dialogue, and inspires a future where education and empowerment are inseparable. When: November 13 to 15, 3pm to 10pm. Conference The centrepiece of this year’s event is a full-day conference, titled ‘Cultural investment: Art’s new era in sustainable finance and AI’. Learn how emerging financial models, artificial intelligence and cross-sector partnerships are reshaping cultural institutions and the wider art community. When: November 13, 9am to 4pm. Panel discussion Claire Sobhane, founder of Dubai-based strategic advisory and cultural consultancy POYAUD. Picture credit: Supplied Claire Sobhane, founder of Dubai-based strategic advisory and cultural consultancy POYAUD, is moderating the flagship panel discussion ‘Rethinking Cultural Investment – From Patronage to Sustainable Finance’. The session brings 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. When: November 13, 10.45am. Cultural tour A curated cultural tour, titled ‘Exploring the City of Al Ain’, is being organised for visiting international artists, delegates and cultural leaders. The initiative is supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT). When: November 14, 7pm to 10pm.