Will Art Basel Qatar Be Safe?
For Art Basel, the timing is delicate. And a lot is at stake.
A Bold Expansion into the Gulf
When Art Basel announced in May 2025 that it would launch a new fair in Doha in February 2026, the move was seen as a breakthrough for the Gulf’s cultural ambitions. Organizers stressed that the event would be modest in size, around 50 exhibitors, but significant in symbolism. “Growing the global art market, supporting artists and galleries and developing new collecting audiences is core to Art Basel’s mission,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, at the time (Art Basel press release).
The announcement was widely covered. Artnews described the Doha launch as a “significant development” that would plant Art Basel firmly in the Middle East (Artnews). The Art Newspaper reported that the fair would be held at the M7 and the Doha Design District, underscoring Qatar’s strategy of positioning itself as a cultural hub. Qatar Airways also joined as a global partner, calling the partnership “a strategic alignment between two globally respected brands” (Qatar Airways press release).
A Strike That Changed Perceptions
That optimism was shaken on September 9, 2025. The Associated Press reported that Israeli fighter jets launched ballistic missiles from the Red Sea, striking a compound in Doha where Hamas officials were present. Several people, including a Qatari security official, were killed (AP).
