Alserkal Avenue has expanded its annual Art Week into a month-long programme, introducing Alserkal Art Month, a broader initiative designed to support and sustain the UAE’s creative ecosystem amid regional uncertainty. Running from April 18 to May 18, the programme unfolds across five weekends, offering a more flexible and considered approach to engaging with art and culture across the district.
Rather than concentrating activity into a single week, the extended format allows for a slower, more immersive experience. Developed in collaboration with artists, galleries and multidisciplinary collectives from across the region, Art Month positions Alserkal Avenue as a space for dialogue, reflection and connection. The programme brings together new gallery exhibitions, public art commissions, performances and workshops, alongside Majlis Talks, open studios and reading groups hosted by Alserkal Arts Foundation.
The evolving structure is guided by Shilpa Gupta’s work Still A Sky We Hold, a new iteration of her earlier commission, which serves as a conceptual anchor for the programme. This theme of shared space and collective resilience runs throughout, shaping a series of initiatives that prioritise collaboration and community engagement.
A central highlight is Déjà Vu, a large-scale multi-gallery exhibition opening at Concrete on April 25. The exhibition brings together artists from leading UAE galleries in a collective commercial show that examines ideas of repetition, memory, and the uncanny through a contemporary lens. Curated by Kevin Jones, Nada Raza and Zaina Zaarour, the exhibition reflects a broader effort to support galleries and artists while maintaining a platform for ambitious work.
Beyond exhibitions, Alserkal Arts Foundation has placed a strong focus on supporting practitioners through studio takeovers, participatory programming and research grants. During Art Month, visitors can engage with open studios, artist-led reading groups and live performances, while a newly established fund offers financial support to help creatives continue developing their work.
The programme also extends into wider cultural dialogue. A roundtable hosted by Alserkal Advisory will bring together institutions and stakeholders to explore how the arts can continue to create meaningful impact, while initiatives such as Blank Space highlight emerging creatives working across design, craft and visual arts.
Closing the month, a dedicated programme of moving-image works will coincide with Art Dubai, further reinforcing the district’s role in the region’s cultural calendar.
Through its expanded format, Alserkal Art Month reflects a shift towards a more adaptive and community-led model, one that prioritises continuity, collaboration and creative exchange. In doing so, it reinforces Alserkal Avenue’s position not only as a cultural destination but as a platform that actively supports the people shaping the region’s artistic landscape.
