Have you ever been on the ArtBus?

(My beat for 30th Edition of ChitChat, Jumeirah International colleague publication)

Have you ever been on the ArtBus? Well, I did. The first time in November 2010 as an art lover from Dubai to Abu Dhabi Art’s independent art galleries and to the Emirates Palace, where some of the world’s leading galleries showcased contemporary art. The second was in March this year, where it transported art lovers and aficionados from Art Dubai in Madinat Jumeirah to two strings of art galleries in Dubai. If you think that 80 galleries from 34 countries showcased in MJ may be a bit too much art to handle, you can’t afford to miss ArtBus which will take you to 36 galleries – via the Al Quoz and Bastikiya-DIFC routes.

Hopping on the ArtBus offers great opportunities for people with shared interests to meet, get to know each other, create lasting connections or be inspired!

Now on its third year, ArtBus is considered UAE’s shuttle to the arts. It provides guided tours to UAE’s prominent galleries, art centers, alternative art studios and art festivals. Launched in 2007 during Art Dubai’s first year, ArtBus was aimed to spread awareness of the galleries in the UAE and arts initiatives to a global audience visiting the UAE during international art events. Since then it continues to develop new enthusiasts for the arts among residents and tourists to the region.
Art buses are also familiar features in leading art and cultural scenes in New York and London bringing patrons, curators, press and collectors to hundreds of art spaces.

Tied up with local galleries in Abu Dhabi and Dubai alongside projects like Abu Dhabi Art Fair, Arts Abu Dhabi, Art Dubai, Al Bastakiya Art Fair, Dubai International Film Festival, Sharjah Biennial, Sikka Art Fair, Sharjah Art Museum and TDIC, ArtBus is also in partnership with Jumeirah Group in some key art events.

Hopefully, on my third outing with ArtBus later this year, I could be one of those excited arty-passengers or one of their volunteer guides or perhaps some of my works will be hung in one of those alternative venues. But one thing I’m sure of, I will be stepping aboard again on one of those visually stimulating ArtBuses.