Photo Credit : WAM
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the dates and artistic theme for the second edition of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial (PAAD), which will bring large-scale public art installations and community-focused projects to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain later this year.
The Biennial will officially open in Al Ain on 23 October 2026, followed by its Abu Dhabi launch on 15 November 2026, transforming public spaces across both cities into vibrant cultural destinations where residents and visitors can engage directly with contemporary art.
Curated under the artistic direction of Elvira Dyangani Ose, former Director of the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), the 2026 edition is centred on the theme “Home: A Glossary for a Communal Sense of Place.” The concept explores the idea of home as a shared and evolving experience shaped by communities, identities and everyday interactions rather than a fixed geographical location.
The Biennial will feature newly commissioned artworks, research-driven projects and interactive public programmes designed to encourage meaningful engagement between artists and local communities. By placing art in everyday public spaces, the initiative aims to make cultural experiences more accessible while strengthening connections between people and their surroundings.
The upcoming edition builds on the success of the inaugural Public Matter (2024–25) Biennial, which showcased site-specific works by artists from the UAE and around the world. Several of those installations have since become permanent additions to Abu Dhabi’s growing public art collection.
DCT Abu Dhabi said the 2026 Biennial will continue to position public art as more than a visual experience, highlighting its role in fostering dialogue, participation and shared cultural identity. The initiative also supports the emirate’s broader vision of preserving cultural heritage while creating a dynamic and inclusive public realm that reflects Abu Dhabi’s evolving urban landscape and creative ambitions.
