Biennales in the Middle East

The Gulf now sets the pace for biennales in the Middle East, through two very different models. The Sharjah Biennial, founded in 1993, grew under Hoor Al Qasimi and the Sharjah Art Foundation from a regional event into one of the most cited biennales in the world. The Diriyah Biennale, founded in 2021 in the JAX District of Diriyah beside the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif, is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 cultural program and has held three editions through 2026. One is a foundation-led program built over three decades; the other is a state-anchored newcomer. Al Qasimi’s reach now extends well beyond the Gulf: she directed the 2025 Aichi Triennale and curated the 2026 Biennale of Sydney.

Earlier projects show how fragile the form can be. The Herzliya Biennial in Israel held three editions, in 2007, 2009, and 2011, and has not been staged since. The Istanbul Biennial, founded in 1987, is often discussed alongside the region but is listed under Europe; Cairo appears under Africa.

No edition is open in the region as of October 1, 2026. The 3rd Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, In Interludes and Transitions, curated by Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed, ran from January 30 to May 2, 2026, and its next edition has not been announced. The next major opening is Sharjah Biennial 17, What remains, sits restive, curated by Angela Harutyunyan and Paula Nascimento, which runs January 21 to June 13, 2027. Its long run makes it easy to pair with spring editions elsewhere; see the 2027 calendar.