From bus shelters to shopping centres, Abu Dhabi Canvas is reimagining everyday spaces as art destinations.
Abu Dhabi has always known how to make a statement, but its latest transformation is one you will spot on your daily commute. Abu Dhabi Canvas is a new initiative that has turned the capital into an open-air gallery, bringing large-scale artworks into the places people actually live, work and move through. Think residential neighbourhoods, shopping centres, building facades and bus shelters, all reimagined as vibrant art hubs designed to spark conversation and community.
The concept is simple but powerful. Rather than asking people to step into a gallery, Abu Dhabi Canvas takes art to the streets, making it accessible, unexpected and woven into the rhythm of everyday life. The result is a city that feels more playful, more expressive and more connected, where culture and identity can meet in plain sight.
The scale is equally impressive. More than 400 artworks are now on display across 130 locations spanning Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra region. Over 100 Emirati and locally based artists have contributed, collectively spending around 17,000 hours on projects that cover close to 7,800 square metres. It is an ambitious showcase that highlights local creativity while giving the public new reasons to explore familiar corners of the emirate.
Each artwork was selected to align with the initiative’s core themes: community, mobility, culture, sustainability, growth and urban planning. Just as importantly, the curation was shaped to respect the UAE’s heritage and identity, with Emirati and UAE-based artists leading the majority of commissions to ensure the city’s stories are told with authenticity.
Noor Shamma, acting executive director of the Marketing and Communications Sector at the Department of Municipalities and Transport, says the project is rooted in the belief that art can strengthen belonging and elevate the quality of life. “We launched Abu Dhabi Canvas to transform everyday spaces such as residential areas, shopping centres and bus shelters into engaging artistic experiences that encourage meaningful interaction and cultural appreciation. Simply put, it reflects our belief in art as a unifying force. The strong public engagement we have seen reassures us that people value seeing art integrated into their daily environments.”
GO: Visit https://adcanvas.art for more information.