ArtDayME: Art Basel Qatar officially welcomed the public on Thursday at Msheireb Downtown Doha. As the first Art Basel fair to take place in the MENASA region (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia), the event signals a meaningful realignment in the landscape of the global art market. According to the press release, the inaugural edition—organized in collaboration with Qatar Sports Investments and QC+—brings together 87 international exhibitors and 84 artists.

More than half of the participating artists originate from the MENASA region, underscoring the strong momentum of creative production across this part of the world.

Guided by Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer Vincenzo de Bellis and Artistic Director Wael Shawky, the fair introduces a fresh curatorial vision. Staged across M7 and the Doha Design District, the event departs from the conventional booth system and instead highlights dedicated solo presentations.

Built around the theme “Becoming,” the format is designed to promote slower, more intentional engagement with the artworks.

“This structure allows artists to articulate fully formed ideas rather than fragmented concepts,” Shawky noted, adding that the fair seeks to blur the boundaries between the commercial and educational aspects of the art world. He encourages visitors to adopt a mindful pace, recommending at least 15 minutes of focused attention in each artist’s space.