Art Basel Qatar 2027 has revealed its list of exhibitors, featuring approximately 60 international galleries, with over one-third operating within the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region. The upcoming fair will mark the second edition of the event, set to take place across M7 and Doka Design District, as well as select public venues in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
More than 30 galleries will participate in the Qatar fair for the first time, underscoring the event’s expanding role as a bridge between regional artists and the international market. The fair will maintain the solo-presentation format introduced at its inaugural edition and will be curated under the theme “between,” led by Iraqi curator Wassan al-Khudhairi. This theme aims to highlight the intersection of diverse perspectives, histories, and ideas, with particular attention to how global influences have shaped the MENASA region’s art scene and vice versa.
The event is produced in partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), QC+, and Visit Qatar as the lead partner. At a recent press conference, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, emphasized that the collaboration reflects Qatar’s longstanding investments in cultural infrastructure and creative industries. She noted that the country has nurtured substantial artistic talent and is now developing commercial channels to support regional artists, facilitate their entry into global markets, and address increasing demand from local collectors.
Qatar’s cultural strategy aligns with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, focusing on human resource development. Investments have been directed toward museums, galleries, creative hubs, festivals, and institutions—such as the Doha Design District—to promote regional artists’ engagement with broader audiences while preserving cultural heritage.
Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, described the 2027 edition as a vital step in establishing a durable platform for the region’s art market. Complementing the fair week, Art Basel has launched a year-round initiative called Collectors Majlis, beginning in October 2026. This invitation-only pilot program will assemble 30 to 40 emerging and art-adjacent collectors for a series of masterclasses, workshops, cultural events, collection visits, and networking sessions both before, during, and after the fair. The program is designed to educate participants on art market operations, acquisition processes, and collection development, while fostering greater confidence in engaging with galleries and artworks.
Sessions will feature prominent figures including HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, Horowitz, Art Basel’s chief artistic officer and global director of fairs Vincenzo de Bellis, and al-Khudhairi. The initiative also plans to host international collector events in locations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Greece.
De Bellis emphasized that the program intends to strengthen the regional market and create new connections among collectors, galleries, and institutions, aspiring to root Art Basel Qatar deeply within its region while resonating globally.
Approximately half of the participating artists originate from the MENASA region, including Mohammed Alfaraj, Monira al-Qadiri, Dana Awartani, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Hassan Hajiaj, Yazan Khalili, Waqas Khan, Seher Shah, Shahzia Sikander, and Vijan Sora.
Regional galleries appearing include Saudi Arabia’s Athr Gallery and Hafez Gallery; Dubai’s Green Art Gallery, Lawnihe Shabibi, and The Third Line; Doha’s al markhiya gallery; Beirut and Hamburg-based Sfeir-Semler Gallery; and Mumbai’s Chemould Prescott Road. First-time regional exhibitors joining the fair are Dubai’s Efie Gallery, Abu Dhabi’s Iyad Qanazea, Egypt’s Le LAB Gallery, Doha’s Aljosh Gallery, Kuwait’s Contemporary Art Platform, and Tehran and Toronto-based Dastan Gallery.
These regional participants will be showcased alongside prominent international galleries such as Gagosian, David Zwirner, Acquavella Galleries, Matthew Marks Gallery, Lisson Gallery, White Cube, Spruth Magers, and Mendes Wood DM.
Further information on gallery presentations and special projects is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The full list of exhibitors can be found on the official Art Basel Qatar website.