Explore major art organizations across Middle Eastern countries. These institutions support artists, promote visual arts, and preserve cultural heritage.

United Arab Emirates

Organization: Sharjah Art Foundation

Structure: Non-profit organization

Ownership: Independent

Purpose: To support the flourishing arts environment in the Gulf by nurturing artistic opportunities and actively pursuing both regional and international programs of cultural collaboration and exchange.

Address: P.O. Box 19989, Sharjah, UAE

Website: https://sharjahart.org/

Saudi Arabia

Organization: Misk Art Institute

Structure: Non-profit organization under the Misk Foundation

Ownership: Independent

Purpose: To encourage grassroots artistic production in Saudi Arabia and abroad, supporting established and emerging artists through exhibitions, educational programs, and artist residencies.

Address: P.O. Box 3298, Riyadh 12382, Saudi Arabia

Website: https://miskartinstitute.org/

Qatar

Organization: Qatar Museums

Structure: Government organization

Ownership: Government of Qatar

Purpose: To oversee the development of museums and cultural institutions in Qatar, promoting art and heritage through exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural initiatives.

Address: P.O. Box 2777, Doha, Qatar

Website: https://www.qm.org.qa/

Lebanon

Organization: Beirut Art Center

Structure: Non-profit association

Ownership: Independent

Purpose: To promote contemporary art in Lebanon by providing a platform for exhibitions, performances, and educational programs, fostering dialogue between artists and the public.

Address: Jisr El Wati, Off Corniche an Nahr, Beirut, Lebanon

Website: http://www.beirutartcenter.org/

Jordan

Organization: Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts

Structure: Art museum under the Royal Society of Fine Arts

Ownership: Independent

Purpose: To promote visual arts in Jordan and the Arab world, housing a collection of contemporary art from developing countries and organizing exhibitions and educational programs.

Address: Hosni Fareez Street, Jabal Al Weibdeh, Amman, Jordan

Website: http://www.nationalgallery.org/

Egypt

Organization: Ministry of Culture – Fine Arts Sector

Structure: Government department

Ownership: Government of Egypt

Purpose: To manage and promote fine arts in Egypt, overseeing museums, galleries, and cultural centers, and organizing exhibitions and art events.

Address: 1 El-Matahaf El-Masry St., Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt

Website: http://www.fineart.gov.eg/

Iran

Organization: Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art

Structure: Art museum under the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance

Ownership: Government of Iran

Purpose: To collect, preserve, and exhibit modern and contemporary artworks from Iran and around the world, serving as a cultural hub for art education and appreciation.

Address: North Kargar Ave., Tehran, Iran

Website: http://www.tmoca.com/

Israel

Organization: Israel Museum

Structure: National museum

Ownership: Independent, with government support

Purpose: To house extensive collections of art and archaeology, promoting cultural heritage through exhibitions, educational programs, and research.

Address: Ruppin Blvd., Jerusalem, Israel

Website: https://www.imj.org.il/

Turkey

Organization: Istanbul Modern

Structure: Museum of modern and contemporary art

Ownership: Independent, with private and public support

Purpose: To present modern and contemporary art exhibitions, providing education programs and fostering appreciation for art in Turkey.

Address: Meclisi Mebusan Caddesi, Liman İşletmeleri, Karaköy, Istanbul, Turkey

Website: www.istanbulmodern.org

Oman

Organization: Omani Society for Fine Arts
Structure: Non-Profit Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support and promote Omani artists by organizing exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events, fostering the development of fine arts in Oman.
Address: Muscat, Oman
Website: http://www.osfagov.com/

Yemen

Organization: Yemeni Fine Arts Association
Structure: Non-Profit Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To promote the visual arts in Yemen by supporting local artists, organizing exhibitions, and fostering appreciation for fine arts within the community.
Address: Sana’a, Yemen
Website: http://www.yfaa.org/

Palestine

Organization: Palestinian Art Court – Al Hoash
Structure: Non-Profit Organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To serve as a platform for Palestinian artists, promoting visual arts through exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach.
Address: Jerusalem, Palestine
Website: http://www.alhoashgallery.org/

Qatar

Organization: Qatar Fine Arts Association
Structure: Non-Profit Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support Qatari artists by organizing exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events, promoting the development of fine arts in Qatar.
Address: Doha, Qatar
Website: http://www.qatarfinearts.org/

United Arab Emirates

Organization: Emirates Fine Arts Society
Structure: Non-Profit Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To promote fine arts in the UAE by supporting Emirati artists, organizing exhibitions, and fostering appreciation for visual arts within the community.
Address: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Website: http://www.efasuae.com/

Bahrain

Organization: Bahrain Arts Society
Structure: Non-Profit Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To promote fine arts in Bahrain by supporting local artists, organizing exhibitions, and fostering appreciation for visual arts within the community.
Address: Manama, Bahrain
Website: http://www.bahrainartssociety.org/

Kuwait

Organization: Kuwait Arts Association
Structure: Non-Profit Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support Kuwaiti artists, organize art exhibitions, and promote the visual arts within Kuwait.
Address: Kuwait City, Kuwait
Website: http://www.kuwaitarts.org/

Jordan

Organization: Jordanian Plastic Artists Association
Structure: Professional Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To represent and support Jordanian visual artists, organize art events, and promote the visual arts within Jordan.
Address: Amman, Jordan
Website: http://www.jpa.org.jo/

Lebanon

Organization: Lebanese Artists Association for Painters and Sculptors
Structure: Non-Profit Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support Lebanese painters and sculptors, promote their work, and foster the development of visual arts in Lebanon.
Address: Beirut, Lebanon
Website: http://www.lebaneseartists.org/

Syria

Organization: Syrian Plastic Artists Union
Structure: Professional Union
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To represent Syrian visual artists, support their work, and promote the visual arts within Syria.
Address: Damascus, Syria
Website: http://www.syrianart.org/

Iraq

Organization: Iraqi Plastic Artists Association
Structure: Non-Profit Association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support Iraqi visual artists, organize exhibitions, and promote the development of the visual arts within Iraq.
Address: Baghdad, Iraq
Website: http://www.iraqart.org/

United Arab Emirates

Organization: Emirates Fine Arts Society (EFAS)
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To promote the development of visual arts in the UAE, support local artists, and organize exhibitions and cultural activities.
Address: Al Ain, UAE
Website: https://www.emiratesfineartssociety.org

Saudi Arabia

Organization: Saudi Art Council
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support contemporary art in Saudi Arabia by organizing exhibitions, promoting artistic exchange, and developing art education.
Address: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Website: https://www.saudiartcouncil.org

Qatar

Organization: Qatar Fine Arts Association
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To promote the visual arts in Qatar, organize exhibitions, and support the work of Qatari artists and those in the Gulf region.
Address: Doha, Qatar
Website: https://www.qatarart.org

Lebanon

Organization: Lebanese Association for Plastic Arts (Ashkal Alwan)
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support contemporary art in Lebanon through exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural activities.
Address: Beirut, Lebanon
Website: http://www.ashkalalwan.org

Jordan

Organization: Jordan Artists Association
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support and promote the work of Jordanian artists, offering exhibitions, programs, and educational opportunities to its members.
Address: Amman, Jordan
Website: http://www.jordanians.org

Egypt

Organization: Egyptian Fine Arts Syndicate
Structure: Government-linked non-profit organization
Ownership: Government of Egypt
Purpose: To regulate and support the practice of visual arts in Egypt, including artists’ rights, exhibitions, and professional development.
Address: Cairo, Egypt
Website: http://www.finearts.gov.eg

Iran

Organization: Iranian Artists Forum
Structure: Governmental organization
Ownership: Government of Iran
Purpose: To promote and support the visual arts community in Iran, organize exhibitions, workshops, and provide a space for artistic exchange.
Address: Tehran, Iran
Website: http://www.artforum.ir

Israel

Organization: Israel Artists Association
Structure: Non-profit association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To advocate for Israeli artists, organize exhibitions, and support initiatives to promote Israeli visual arts internationally.
Address: Tel Aviv, Israel
Website: https://www.art.org.il

Turkey

Organization: Turkish National Committee of ICOM (International Council of Museums)
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support Turkish artists and art institutions, organize exhibitions, and promote international collaboration in the field of visual arts.
Address: Istanbul, Turkey
Website: http://www.icom-turkey.org

Afghanistan

Organization: Afghan Artists’ Association
Structure: Non-governmental organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support and promote Afghan artists, preserving and showcasing Afghan art both locally and internationally.
Address: Kabul, Afghanistan
Website: www.afghanartistsassociation.com

Bahrain

Organization: Bahrain Arts Society
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To foster a community of artists and provide resources for exhibitions, training, and art development in Bahrain.
Address: Manama, Bahrain
Website: www.bahrainartssociety.com

Egypt

Organization: The Syndicate of Fine Arts
Structure: Governmental organization
Ownership: Government
Purpose: To oversee the professional development of artists, provide exhibitions, and advocate for the preservation and promotion of Egyptian art.
Address: Cairo, Egypt
Website: www.fineart.gov.eg

Iran

Organization: Iranian Artists Forum
Structure: Government-run and independent collaboration
Ownership: Government and private collaborations
Purpose: To support Iranian artists and showcase their works locally and internationally through exhibitions and collaborations.
Address: Tehran, Iran
Website: www.artforum.ir

Israel

Organization: Israel Artists’ Association
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To represent Israeli artists, providing opportunities for exhibitions, awards, and professional development.
Address: Tel Aviv, Israel
Website: www.art.org.il

Jordan

Organization: Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
Structure: Art museum under the Royal Society of Fine Arts
Ownership: Government
Purpose: To promote visual arts in Jordan and the Arab world, housing a collection of contemporary art and organizing exhibitions and educational programs.
Address: Amman, Jordan
Website: www.nationalgallery.org

Kuwait

Organization: Kuwait Arts Association
Structure: Non-profit association
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support and advance Kuwaiti artists, fostering a creative community through exhibitions and international art collaborations.
Address: Kuwait City, Kuwait
Website: www.kuwaitarts.org

Lebanon

Organization: Beirut Art Center
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To promote contemporary art in Lebanon by providing a platform for exhibitions, performances, and educational programs, fostering dialogue between artists and the public.
Address: Beirut, Lebanon
Website: www.beirutartcenter.org

Qatar

Organization: Qatar Museums
Structure: Government-run
Ownership: Government
Purpose: To oversee the development of museums and cultural institutions in Qatar, promoting art and heritage through exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural initiatives.
Address: Doha, Qatar
Website: www.qm.org.qa

Saudi Arabia

Organization: Misk Art Institute
Structure: Non-profit organization under the Misk Foundation
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To encourage grassroots artistic production in Saudi Arabia and abroad, supporting established and emerging artists through exhibitions, educational programs, and artist residencies.
Address: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Website: www.miskartinstitute.org

United Arab Emirates

Organization: Sharjah Art Foundation
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To support the flourishing arts environment in the Gulf by nurturing artistic opportunities and actively pursuing both regional and international programs of cultural collaboration and exchange.
Address: Sharjah, UAE
Website: www.sharjahart.org

Yemen

Organization: The Yemeni Artists Association
Structure: Non-profit organization
Ownership: Independent
Purpose: To foster the development of Yemeni art and artists through exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs aimed at promoting the country’s artistic heritage.
Address: Sana’a, Yemen
Website: www.yemeniartists.org