Abu Dhabi has announced the theme and opening dates for the second Public Art Biennial, with the event set to transform public spaces across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain into places for artistic expression, cultural exchange, and community participation.
The Biennial will begin in Al Ain on October 23, 2026. It will then open in Abu Dhabi on November 15, 2026. Visitors will experience artworks displayed in parks, streets, open spaces, and other public locations throughout the two cities.
The 2026 edition will be led by artistic director Elvira Dyangani Ose, the former director of the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona. She has chosen the theme, “Home: A Glossary for a Communal Sense of Place.”
The theme explores the idea of home as something that grows and changes through people, communities, and shared experiences. Rather than treating home as a fixed location, the exhibition will present it as a living idea shaped by culture, memory, and everyday life.
Organizers said the Biennial will encourage people to interact with art in the places where they live, work, and gather. The exhibition will feature new public art commissions, research-based projects, and community activities designed to bring artists and local residents together.
Many of the artworks will be created specifically for their locations. This approach allows artists to respond to the history, environment, and culture of each site while creating works that connect with local communities.
The event follows the success of the first Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, titled Public Matter, which took place during 2024 and 2025. That edition featured site-specific works by artists from the United Arab Emirates and many other countries.
Several artworks from the first Biennial have remained in place as permanent public installations. These additions have expanded Abu Dhabi’s growing public art collection and created lasting cultural landmarks across the emirate.
Organizers said the second Biennial will continue building strong relationships between artists, residents, and public spaces. The event aims to make art more accessible by bringing exhibitions outside traditional museums and galleries.
Public art will be presented not only as a visual experience but also as a way to encourage discussion, participation, and shared creativity. Visitors will have opportunities to engage directly with artworks and take part in programs designed for people of different ages and backgrounds.
The Biennial will also highlight the changing urban landscape of Abu Dhabi and the unique identity of Al Ain. Through contemporary art, artists will explore themes connected to history, architecture, culture, and everyday life across the emirate.
The initiative forms part of Abu Dhabi’s wider effort to strengthen its cultural sector and expand access to the arts. Public spaces across the emirate are increasingly being used as places where people can experience creative works without entering a museum or gallery.
Officials say the project supports long-term goals to protect cultural heritage while encouraging innovation and artistic expression. By placing artworks in everyday locations, the Biennial aims to create lasting connections between communities and the places they call home.
The event is also expected to attract visitors from around the world, adding to Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as an international destination for arts and culture. Public exhibitions, educational programs, and community events will help create opportunities for cultural exchange throughout the Biennial.
With its focus on participation, creativity, and shared public spaces, the 2026 Public Art Biennial aims to celebrate the diverse communities that shape Abu Dhabi and Al Ain while creating a lasting artistic legacy for future generations.
