Galleries and museums in Gulf states like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are reopening and projecting normalcy despite the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, which has entered its fourth week. Major events like Art Dubai have been postponed, and institutions like the Sharjah Art Foundation have delayed gatherings, but many cultural venues are operating with adjusted formats or by appointment.
The situation matters because these states have invested heavily in cultural infrastructure as part of a post-oil economic pivot, making their museums and galleries both symbols of soft power and potential targets. Experts warn that the conflict poses a direct risk to this cultural infrastructure, while the drive to maintain tourism and business may lead governments to downplay threats and delay crucial emergency planning for heritage protection.