World Art Day comes once a year, but in Abu Dhabi, the experience continues beyond the date. You can step into it whenever you’re ready, with exhibitions and workshops across the city’s museums and art spaces. Here’s a look at the best experiences to check out right now.
Picasso Exhibition and Events at Louvre Abu Dhabi
If you start anywhere, start here. Picasso, the Figure is open until May 31. The exhibition focuses on how the artist approached the human body, with works brought in from the Louvre and regional collections. Read more about the exhibition here.
A general admission ticket includes access to the exhibition, so you can see it as part of your visit. Book your entry ticket to Louvre Abu Dhabi below.
On April 25, the museum screens Young Picasso, a documentary about his early years and how his style took shape. Watching it before or after the exhibition helps connect the dots between the paintings and the person behind them.
Don’t miss other events during the week:
- Picasso-inspired workshops for students every Thursday
- Art in Scents, an immersive experience running on Thursdays and Saturdays
Join Art Workshops
Art isn’t only something to look at here. You can take part in it. At Cultural Foundation, you’ll find practical workshops covering:
- Arabic calligraphy
- Islamic geometric patterns
- Oil and acrylic painting
- Mosaic and ceramics
Alongside the workshops, you can also see a selection of works by British visual artist Shezad Dawood.
The Art Studio at Manarat Al Saadiyat hosts sessions throughout the week. Textile masterclasses, mixed media workshops for children, and open studio sessions let you drop in and try different techniques, even without experience.
More Museums in Abu Dhabi Worth Your Time
If you’re already planning a museum day, it’s worth adding a couple more stops.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum are easy to pair together. One focuses on the natural world, the other on the story of the UAE, so you get two very different experiences.
For something more modern, visit teamLab Phenomena. Its digital installations, shifting visuals, and spaces you walk through rather than just observe. It’s less about looking at art on walls and more about being inside it.
