The LA Art Show is pleased to welcome The United Arab Emirates (UAE) as its Featured Guest Country for the 2015 edition.  The Guest Country program is comprised of a curated exhibition, lecture programming and has a goal to showcase nations that are committed to showcasing and investing in the arts.

" Art is an important way to tell stories and increase understanding between cultures. In that regard, the UAE is excited to be part of the 2015 LA Art Show," said Abdulla Al Saboosi, UAE Consul General in Los Angeles. "By showcasing the work of emerging and established Emirati artists, we are also able to highlight the country's unique culture, heritage and development."

“The LA Art Show is committed to bringing the best in international art to Los Angeles.  We are so excited to have the UAE as our 2015 Guest Country.  A nexus between the traditional and the modern, the UAE is quickly becoming a destination for culture,” states Kim Martindale, Executive Producer and Partner in the LA Art Show.

A federation of seven city-states, the UAE will curate a special exhibition showcasing some of the country’s top contemporary artists, and highlighting the nation as a cultural hub.  A nation rich in cultural heritage, the UAE has invested heavily in museums in recent years.  The Cultural District of Saadiyat Island District in Abu Dhabi will be home to several stunning architectural and cultural icons including, the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, a world-class performing arts center, and outposts of world-renowned museums the Guggenheim and the Louvre.  Dubai is emerging as an important destination for art institutions, dealers and collectors.  Sharjah, a prominent cultural center is home to more than twenty museums and the Sharjah Biennial, which fosters cultural collaboration and opportunity for artists and exhibitors.  In addition to government investment, a new class of trailblazing galleries has opened in recent years, fueling the UAE’s growing art scene.

A close US ally, in just over four decades, the UAE has transformed from a tribal culture reliant on agriculture and fishing to an entrepreneurial success story with world-class infrastructure. Since the nation’s founding in 1971, the UAE’s leadership has improved education (effectively eliminating illiteracy), advanced health care and embraced change as the UAE modernizes, consistent with its history and cultural values.

This unique identity, and vision for an even better future, will be captured in the work of local artists that will be exhibited at the 2015 LA Art Show.