SHARJAH.- HH Sheikha Hoor Al-Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Biennial, announced the launch of the Sharjah Art Foundation. The Foundation is a new and powerful initiative in the development of contemporary visual arts in the Gulf. Building on the pioneering role that Sharjah has played in the UAE, the Foundation will be dedicated to supporting the production and presentation of local art works.

The mission of the Sharjah Art Foundation will be to nurture local artistic opportunity by developing regional and international exchange programmes. The Foundation will build on the success of the Sharjah Biennial, a beacon for the arts since 1993, which will now fall under its umbrella. It will also expand on programmes already initiated via a new production and residency programme.

Commenting on the launch, Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi said: “I am delighted that Sharjah is taking another step forward in its cultural ambitions with the establishment of an art foundation in the emirate. Sharjah has played a pioneering role in fostering artistic development in the UAE and Gulf region. Today we are signalling our commitment to further development of contemporary visual arts in the region and to the continued empowerment of art across the Arab world.”