Autumn in the UAE is a celebration of all that’s current in contemporary design, architecture and art – from the launch of inaugural Sharjah Architecture Triennial starting November 9-12, through to the UAE’s leading design event, Dubai Design Week, November 11-16, which also hosts a pop-up, design-focussed iteration of the Art Jameel Shop.

The month offers residents and visitors alike a packed programme of fairs and festivals, one-off happenings, special performances and installations. See our What’s On section for everything happening at the Jameel, including Digital Earth Talks happening November 7-8; below are some links to our colleagues’ and partners’ events.

Sharjah Architecture Triennial
November 9 – 12

Sharjah Architecture Triennial is the first major platform for architecture and urbanism in the Middle East, North and East Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. Participating in international conversations while anchored in the specificity of Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates, we offer new spaces for critical reflection and foster research that situates the built environment within its complex social, economic, and cultural contexts.

Dubai Design Week
November 11 – 16

The region’s largest creative festival, Dubai Design Week, returns for its 5th edition between November 11 to 16, with free to attend exhibitions, installations, markets, tours and experiences for design enthusiasts and public visitors alike. Key components include the region’s leading design fair, Downtown Design; Global Grad Show, which brings together projects from 100 of the most innovative universities across the world; Abwab, the curated and interactive project containing original design from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia; alongside an extensive talks and workshop programme.

Alserkal Avenue
November 6 – 23

Alserkal Avenue’s November programme includes exhibitions, commissions, majlis talks and installations. Contemporary art galleries The Third Line, Grey Noise, Green Art Gallery, Ishara Art Foundation, Carbon 12, Ayyam Gallery, 1×1 Gallery, Lawrie Shabibi, Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde and Leila Heller Gallery, among others, feature autumn shows and will open late to the public on Galleries Night, November 18. Concrete will host Is This Tomorrow? touring from Whitechapel Gallery, London, plus a site-specific work by artist Rana Begum and architect Marina Tabassum. The Avenue also features a new design intervention by Jeddah-based architects Turki and Abdulrahman Gazzaz of Bricklab studio.

Abu Dhabi Art Fair
November 21 – 23

Abu Dhabi Art will take place in the capital from November 21 to 23, with a full programme of events. Held at creative art centre Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi Art Fair will feature a dynamic and collaborative programme of engaging exhibitions, public talks, performance art, workshops and more, all aimed at engaging visitors from Abu Dhabi, the wider UAE and from across the world. The public programme will launch in November with the beginning of the fair and will continue until January 2020.