Golin MENA has been reappointed as the public relations agency for World Art Dubai 2026, marking its second consecutive year leading communications for one of the Middle East's most prominent contemporary art platforms.
The agency will be responsible for strategic communications and media engagement for the 12th edition of the fair, which brings together galleries, independent artists and collectors, and has become a fixture on the UAE's cultural calendar. Under the renewed brief, Golin MENA will work to amplify World Art Dubai's role in championing regional and international artists while extending the fair's visibility across the UAE and broader Middle East.
Stephen Worsley, Regional Managing Director at Golin MENA, framed the renewal in terms of shared values as much as commercial opportunity: "World Art Dubai is a platform that genuinely champions creativity and accessibility in the region. We're excited to partner with a brand that not only supports emerging and established artists, but also plays a meaningful role in shaping the UAE's cultural landscape."
Worsley added that the agency's focus would centre on narrative, building compelling stories around the fair and ensuring it continues to grow its impact ahead of 2026.
A growing mandate
As the UAE continues to position itself as a global cultural hub, with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy targeting 15,000 creative enterprises and 140,000 jobs by 2026, alongside Abu Dhabi's $6bn commitment to culture and creative industries, demand for specialist communications counsel in the arts and lifestyle space has grown considerably.
Culture-led communications has emerged as a competitive space for agencies in the Gulf, with a number of international and independent firms vying for mandates tied to the region's ambitious cultural programming calendar, including the Dubai Art Season 2026, which runs from January through to late April.
For Golin, part of the global IPG network and a 2024 Cannes Lions Grand Prix winner, the communications challenge will be sustaining momentum and growing reach in an increasingly crowded events market.
Scheduled to run 23-26 April 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the World Art Dubai 2026 edition will feature over 10,000 artworks from 400+ artists and galleries across 65+ countries.