Since its opening in 2020, The Arts Club Dubai has created a space for the cultivation of creative discourse and patronage, with more than 115 events hosted so far as part of its Cultural Programme.
Set over five floors of ICD Brookfield, The Arts Club Dubai offers encounters with art, cultural thinkers and creatives through talks, gatherings, workshops, screenings and exhibitions, the latter of which has seen twelve Stairway Exhibitions featuring works by artists including Akram Zaatari, El Anatsui, Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, Hesam Rahmanian and Mandy El-Sayegh.
For the private club, cultural inspiration extends beyond its physical walls. Founded on the idea that sharing cultural experiences can create insightful connections and memorable moments, the club also offers its members unparalleled access to the global arts scene. Carefully crafted excursions open the doors to the art world and beyond, providing insider access through thoughtfully curated itineraries.
This year, for the inaugural Art Basel Qatar, The Arts Club Dubai took its members on a journey to explore the region’s newest fair. The itinerary was comprehensive and insightful, not only offering private access to the fair itself but also encompassing bespoke visits to collections and exhibitions, as well as restaurant bookings and receptions. It offered a privileged look at the country’s artistic landscape, devised and delivered with Arts Club knowledge and flair.
“Our members’ journeys are designed to bring our community closer to the artists, ideas and institutions shaping the cultural landscape. Being present for the inaugural Art Basel in Qatar was particularly meaningful, both for the access it provided our members and for the opportunity to engage with and support an important new moment for the region’s cultural ecosystem,” shares Ajaz Sheikh, Group CEO of The Arts Club Dubai. “Experiences like this allow The Arts Club to extend its role beyond the club itself, connecting our members with the conversations and institutions that are driving culture forward.”
Beyond wandering the halls of the fair (with custom-designed tote-bag in hand!), the week in Doha encompassed a variety of activities, from exclusive access to the sought-after invitation-only Art Basel Qatar opening night party, to private tours around Qatar Art Center and the ARAK Collection, and afternoon tea at the National Museum of Qatar. The programme was specially devised to contextualise the art scene and bring new discoveries and experiences to the participants.
Crafted for small groups of ten to twelve members only, the journeys created by The Arts Club Dubai also leave room for the building of lasting relationships and shared stories that go beyond the week-long trip and create a friendly atmosphere of like-minded people. Leila-Marie Faddoul, the head of cultural programming at The Arts Club Dubai explains: “Organising these trips as part of our cultural programme is genuinely fun for me. Each one is an opportunity to dive into a city’s art scene and translate it in a meaningful way for our members.”
In recent years, The Arts Club Dubai has invited its members on immersive cultural journeys that have featured private viewings in Athens, Paris and Seoul as well as VIP access at major fairs including Frieze London, Art Basel Hong Kong and Contemporary Istanbul. Additionally, in true Arts Club fashion, the cultural opportunities often extend beyond art to offer access to other bespoke options, such as a private culinary journey to Cognac, Champagne and Bordeaux with visits to wine cellars and estates. The trips aim to foster cross-cultural exchange and enduring inspiration, as well as underlining the value of travelling with like-minded enthusiasts in a quest for enrichment and understanding.
