Taking place from March 19-21 2009, over 65 carefully selected galleries will gather in the beach resort of Madinat Jumeirah for the third edition of Art Dubai. Emphasis will be placed on galleries representing artists from the Middle East, South and Central Asia and the Far East, showing along side established artists from the West. Selected from over 300 applications, the participating galleries were chosen by an international selection committee that considered the merits of each individual exhibition proposal to create an innovative and diverse event, appealing to new and experienced collectors alike.

“The quality and strength of the applications from galleries round the world offers continued proof of the growing importance of Dubai as a new art market centre.” said John Martin, Co- founder and Director of Art Dubai. “In an economic downturn, the best galleries still require a global presence and must take advantage of the opportunities that Art Dubai offers them to engage with the changing face of the regional and international collecting community.”

“Accompanied by the Abraaj Capital Art Prize the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum as well as a comprehensive programme of projects, films, performance, events and tours, Art Dubai provides visitors an unrivalled vantage point onto the shifting global art scene.” said Martin. “The quality of the event and the tightly selected group of galleries reaffirms Dubai’s reputation as one of the most exciting and stimulating new centers for art in the world,” he added.

An exclusive selection of more than 60 of the world’s leading contemporary galleries from more than 30 countries will gather in Dubai next March for the third installment of the Art Dubai 2009 contemporary art fair.