The article discusses the Public Art Abu Dhabi program, a comprehensive initiative launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to create a thriving public art scene in the emirate. The program aims to engage the community in dialogue with art, set the stage for future cultural spaces, and establish Abu Dhabi as a hub for contemporary art.
The article highlights two key events: Manar Abu Dhabi, a large-scale public art festival that took place in 2025, and the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, which ran from November 2024 to April 30, 2025. Both events featured site-specific commissions by international and local artists, including KAWS, Allora & Calzadilla, Farah Al Qasimi, and others.
The program's focus on community engagement is evident in the various activities and initiatives that accompany the art exhibitions, such as talks, workshops, performances, guided meditations, nature walks, and sustainability initiatives. The program also includes a comprehensive commissioning process, which will result in long-term public art installations throughout the emirate.
According to DCT Abu Dhabi's Director, Mona Al Mahrouk Fadda, the priority has always been the community, creating a shared language of engagement around art. She emphasizes that all projects are conceived as legacy initiatives, aiming to create historical precedents and become evidence of how art history is taking shape.
The program's success is evident in its reach, with each project having remarkable impact on hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people. The accumulation of these iterations is considered priceless for a city, providing a rich cultural heritage that will be remembered for years to come.
Overall, the Public Art Abu Dhabi program showcases the emirate's commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive public art scene, one that engages with the community and sets the stage for future cultural developments.
The article highlights two key events: Manar Abu Dhabi, a large-scale public art festival that took place in 2025, and the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, which ran from November 2024 to April 30, 2025. Both events featured site-specific commissions by international and local artists, including KAWS, Allora & Calzadilla, Farah Al Qasimi, and others.
The program's focus on community engagement is evident in the various activities and initiatives that accompany the art exhibitions, such as talks, workshops, performances, guided meditations, nature walks, and sustainability initiatives. The program also includes a comprehensive commissioning process, which will result in long-term public art installations throughout the emirate.
According to DCT Abu Dhabi's Director, Mona Al Mahrouk Fadda, the priority has always been the community, creating a shared language of engagement around art. She emphasizes that all projects are conceived as legacy initiatives, aiming to create historical precedents and become evidence of how art history is taking shape.
The program's success is evident in its reach, with each project having remarkable impact on hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people. The accumulation of these iterations is considered priceless for a city, providing a rich cultural heritage that will be remembered for years to come.
Overall, the Public Art Abu Dhabi program showcases the emirate's commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive public art scene, one that engages with the community and sets the stage for future cultural developments.
! It's like, totally awesome how they're making art accessible to everyone in the community. I mean, who doesn't love a good public art festival? 
And it's cool that they're commissioning local artists too - Farah Al Qasimi is my fave 
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And the fact that they're doing sustainability initiatives too? That's just on point 
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... it's like, totally the future of urban living 
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and kaws is involved?! that's a dream come true for many of us art lovers 
. i'm also super excited about the long-term public art installations throughout the emirate - it'll be so cool to see how they evolve over time 
. what really gets me, though, is that it's not just about the art itself, but about creating a shared language of engagement and community 
. that's something we could all learn from! 
The fact that it's been going on since 2024 seems a bit too perfect. Can we get some more info on who's footing the bill for all this? 
And what's with the "legacy initiatives" claim? Sounds like just a fancy way of saying "we're trying to leave a mark". 
Also, isn't it weird that there are no opposing views or criticisms in this article? Where's the dissenting voice? 
The fact that it's creating a shared language of engagement around art is so cool – like, we need more people talking about art! 
it was SOOO cool! they had this huge installation by KAWS thats like 10 stories high lol can't forget how emotional it got during the performance art piece 
me & my friends were literally crying from laughter and sadness...and did u know that Farah Al Qasimi actually worked on a piece for the biennial but it got delayed due to some issues with permits? 
but seriously, it's so inspiring to see how they're engaging the community and making art accessible to everyone 
! I mean, who wouldn't want an entire city transformed into a hub for contemporary art? It's like they're trying to outdo New York City or something 
. But seriously, it's great that they're engaging the community with all these talks, workshops, and performances – it's not just about showcasing art, but also about making it accessible to everyone.
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