Art galleries and museums across the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar have shuttered their physical spaces following a series of Iranian missile strikes targeting the Arabian Gulf. Major institutions including the Jameel Arts Centre and commercial galleries like Lawrie Shabibi and The Third Line have moved operations online or closed entirely as the UAE government advises residents to remain at home. The regional instability follows a cycle of retaliatory strikes between Iran and US-Israeli forces, resulting in casualties within the UAE.
The closures come at a critical moment for the Middle Eastern art market, raising concerns about international tourism and attendance for the upcoming 20th anniversary of Art Dubai in April. While fair organizers currently intend to proceed with the event, the shift to remote work and the cancellation of public programming reflect a significant disruption to the region's cultural infrastructure. The situation remains fluid as the Gulf Cooperation Council meets to determine a collective response to the escalating regional conflict.