Meet Abu Dhabi Art’s dynamic Emirati director Dyala Nusseibeh

“My key objective when I joined in 2016 was to think about what kind of platform Abu Dhabi Art could be – today the fair’s primary focus is on serving the community and supporting a broader art ecosystem, therefore the mandate is not just an event, but fostering an inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant cultural landscape”, explains Dyala Nusseibeh, who is credited for being a key player in the exponential rise of Abu Dhabi Art.

The annual event at Manarat Al Saadiyat, a cultural centre on Saadiyat Island, has been a mainstay on the city’s cultural calendar since Dyala took the helm in 2016. Following the 2024 edition of Abu Dhabi Art Fair, Dyala passionately discusses her background, motivations and the trajectory of Abu Dhabi becoming a regional centre for creativity and culture - all the while highlighting the city’s role in shaping the broader regional and global art conversation.

The UAE’s commitment to embedding culture at the heart of its future vision is undeniable, and it has created a fertile ground for galleries, artists, and cultural professionals to take part in shaping this dynamic landscape.

Dyala Nusseibeh’s journey into the art world is a fascinating blend of anthropology, cultural diplomacy, and a lifelong immersion in the arts. Her unique path—initially starting with a degree in anthropology rather than fine arts—has undoubtedly shaped her unique approach to curating and leading initiatives like the Abu Dhabi Art fair. As someone who has worked at institutions such as the Saatchi Gallery in London and Art International in Istanbul, Dyala has a wealth of experience that spans both Western and regional art scenes. Even though she went on to formally study Contemporary Art, yet it's the anthropological lens she brings to her work that truly sets her apart.

“Anthropology, at its core, is the study of human societies, cultures, and the ways in which people understand and interact with the world. This directly aligns with the work that artists do—often acting as storytellers or chroniclers of our times, expressing the nuances of contemporary life through material, visual, and conceptual forms”, Dyala explained. This perspective allows her to approach art not just as a commodity or aesthetic experience, but as a vital cultural expression deeply entrenched in the communities from which it originates. She added, “My methodology is not just about showcasing art; it’s about offering the audience a rich, layered context in which to experience and understand it”.

Additionally, Dyala highlighted, “It is important to take ownership of our own narratives. We don’t need to be defined by the West, we need to define ourselves.” She explained, for far too long, art from the Middle East, and North Africa has been viewed through a Eurocentric lens, often relegating it to the periphery of global art histories. “By repositioning our region as a centre of its own artistic and cultural narrative, initiatives such as Abu Dhabi Art aims to shift the Eurocentric dynamic”. For her it's about reframing the discourse – “modern and contemporary art from the region should not be seen as merely responding to the Western canon but should be understood as contributing to a diverse and global dialogue on its own terms”.

When questioned on her inspirations, Dyala credited her father's role as one of the UAE's foremost cultural ambassadors undoubtedly playing a decisive role in shaping her approach to art and culture. Her father, Zaki Nusseibeh’s work in cultural diplomacy—especially his leadership in launching the UAE’s Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy—has influenced Dyala’s own belief in art as a tool for building bridges, fostering understanding, and contributing to the UAE’s vision of a globally engaged, culturally rich future.

Dyala championed her father’s profound influence on her perspective, not only in terms of art but also in how to approach life and work. She stated, “I was very fortunate to grow up surrounded by a family passionate about art—my parents were ardent art collectors. Growing up in a culturally rich environment—surrounded by a deep appreciation for art and its transformative power—was incredibly formative for me. Summer holidays were filled with visits to iconic museums across Europe, and having an aunt deeply involved in the New York art scene, exposed me to some of the world's most celebrated art institutions and artists”.

“But beyond the art itself, it's the values instilled by my father that stand out. His emphasis on service, humility, and thinking about the positive impact of one’s actions on others seems to have shaped my approach to building the art scene in the UAE. He always said, “It's important in whatever you do, no matter how small, to always think about fostering a culture that benefits the community and enriches society as a whole.”

Therefore, the emphasis on service to the community, rather than profit or ego, is a value Dyala carries forward in her work. As has become characteristic of her approach to the fair in recent years, its commercial remits run in tandem with a rich cultural canon that carries the intellectual weight of invited curators, artists and critics. She focuses on creating positive impact, whether through supporting emerging artists, fostering creativity, or curating exhibitions and promoting educational initiatives.

An intersection of sales and critical commentary has recently engaged the fair in a new direction, making the commercial galleries of art and objects a backdrop for a series of curated shows, programming and knowledge sharing initiatives including commissions for established artists to create site-specific works in heritage sites throughout the Emirates. Under Dyala, the fair has launched a Beyond: Emerging Artists programme (which commissions new work by up-and-coming UAE-based artists each year), the Pavilion Prize (a competition for university students in the UAE to design temporary pavilions for the fair. The winning design is built and showcased at the fair) and Art + Tech Artist Residency in collaboration with local universities.

The fact that the fair has nearly tripled in size since Dyala took the helm—from 37 galleries in 2016 to over 100 today—speaks volumes about the burgeoning significance of Abu Dhabi as a global cultural hub. This perspective ties directly into the larger cultural vision for Abu Dhabi, as the fair becomes a key part of a much wider network of cultural institutions. Major projects like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Guggenheim, Zayed National Museum, and the Natural History Museum, have had a catalytic effect on the local and regional art scene. These institutions aren’t just architectural marvels—they’re statements of intent.

Dyala claimed, “The Fair is a reflection of the community around it. It is a vehicle for a lot of artists and art professionals to put forward their research, their work, their ideas – therefore it’s a very organic event. The emphasis on community engagement and cultural contribution, rather than profit, gives the fair its unique identity within the global art market”.

Going on to discuss her motivations, Dyala explained, “I am very focused on outreach and how to engage with students and younger generations because in terms of the creative economy it makes sense to ensure that there are jobs for people in the field of culture”.

For her, it is all about finding additional ways to support art and culture, and promulgate the impact they can have on people’s lives. The fair aims to enable artists to further their careers by participating in shows and thus interact with a local and international audience. “What collectors and curators want from fairs, is a sense of discovery, of finding artists you might not have come across before and then falling in love with their work”, Dyala stated.

This shift in the cultural infrastructure has also had a significant impact on the art market, particularly in terms of collectors. The evolution from a smaller group of just high-end, highly knowledgeable collectors to a more diverse base that includes newcomers eager to begin their collecting journeys—shows the democratising potential of art fairs like Abu Dhabi Art. By offering works across a range of price points, especially through initiatives like the Emerge section (within Abu Dhabi Art fair) with works priced under $3,000, the fair is helping to cultivate a new generation of budding collectors who might have previously felt excluded from the art world.

This inclusivity is essential for building a sustainable art ecosystem, where the exchange of ideas, access to art, and opportunities for acquisition are not confined to an elite few but available to a broader audience. Dyala said, “It's exciting to think about how this diverse collector base could shape the art market in the UAE and beyond, as it moves beyond a purely transactional relationship to a more engaged and participatory culture”.

She foresees that the continuing development of Abu Dhabi will result in positive changes. “The more people visit the museums and increase their passion for education in art, the more people are likely to desire art for their homes, and offer exposure to the children at home- out of who some will eventually want to become artists or arts professionals, resulting in creativity across various industries.” She added, “By working attentively with curators, galleries and artists, we are also ensuring that our gallery exhibitions offer unparalleled access to art histories and research, ensuring visitors have the opportunity to better understand these wide-ranging global positions.”

Dyala’s tireless work is a testament to the UAE’s broader cultural strategy—a commitment to promoting culture as a cornerstone of its national identity and future growth. Her strong influence is shaping the next generation of artists, collectors, and cultural professionals in the UAE and beyond, while reinforcing the country’s role as a global player in the world of contemporary art.