Gulf Gateways, Global Biennales, and AI to Define the 2026 Art Market
The 2026 art market looks to ride a Gulf-led expansion (new museums and fairs like Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Frieze Abu Dhabi, and Art Basel Qatar) alongside a global Biennale circuit, with auction houses prioritizing historically strong, provenance-backed works and a wave of gallery consolidation and hybrid models. AI’s growing role intensifies in operations and debates over copyright, while collectors and institutions seek quality, transparency, and institutional validation amid ongoing volatility and modest macro growth.