Nadine Khoury, a Dubai-based collector, curator, and art adviser, founded the Young Collectors Circle in 2023 to engage Millennial and Gen Z professionals in the Gulf region with contemporary art. Through studio visits, suppers with established collectors, and exhibition openings, Khoury aims to cultivate a new generation of passionate, patient collectors. She previously worked at Green Art Gallery in Dubai and runs her own art advisory firm, Nasij. The initiative grew organically via word-of-mouth and Instagram, with events limited to 15 attendees to foster intimate connections between collectors, artists, and gallerists.
This matters because the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are experiencing rapid growth in their domestic art scenes, yet younger demographics remain an untapped market. Khoury's model addresses a gap in art education and accessibility for young professionals, breaking down barriers that often make art collecting feel exclusive. By creating a free, safe space for learning and networking, the Young Collectors Circle could help shape the future of art patronage in a region undergoing a cultural boom, potentially influencing how emerging collectors engage with local and international art markets.