Dubai is one of the most opportunity rich art markets in the world. It is also one of the easiest places to waste money if you enter without a strategy.

If you recently moved to Dubai, are planning to relocate, or want to build sales and visibility in the UAE from abroad, this guide is for you. It explains how the Dubai art ecosystem works, what your realistic entry routes are, and how my Artist Consultancy Dubai service helps you move faster with less trial and error.

I am Gottfried Eisenberger, founder of The Art Fair Guy, and I work directly in the art fair and exhibition world. My work connects market entry strategy with real platforms, real audiences, and real execution. From major fair ecosystems like World Art Dubai to regional festival formats like Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival, and through tools and projects like scan.art and Ready to Show traveling exhibitions, my consulting is built around what actually works on the ground in the UAE.

Why the Dubai art market works differently

Dubai is not one scene. It is multiple scenes running in parallel. Artists succeed when they choose the right lane for their stage and goals.

Typical lanes include:

Commercial and mid market platforms
Fast access, sales focused, strong for artists who are ready to present professionally and follow up like a business.

Institutional and credibility building routes
Slower, more selective, best for artists playing a long game and building recognition through curators, programs, and serious exhibitions.

Interior, hospitality, and corporate demand
Huge in the UAE. Many artists earn consistently through commissions, hotel and office placements, and design partnerships.

Pop ups and events
High volume, mixed quality. Great when curated well. Dangerous when it is pay to play without audience or documentation.

Your strategy should match your goal. If your goal is sales, we build a sales system. If your goal is gallery representation, we build credibility and targeted outreach. If your goal is both, we design a sequence so you do not sabotage one with the other.

Who this Artist Consultancy Dubai is for

This service is designed for artists who want to enter the UAE market in a professional way.

It is for you if you are:

• An artist who just moved to Dubai and needs an entry plan

• An artist planning to relocate and wants to build traction before arrival

• An artist already in the UAE who wants better fairs, stronger exhibitions, and more serious buyers

• An international artist who wants UAE visibility without wasting budget on weak opportunities

• An artist who wants a structured path across art fairs, galleries, online sales, and residencies

The most common mistakes artists make in Dubai

Dubai rewards clarity and execution. Most artists struggle here for predictable reasons:

• Saying yes to paid group shows that have no real audience and no lasting value

• Entering fairs without a booth strategy, pricing logic, or lead capture

• Presenting a portfolio that is strong artistically but confusing commercially

• Pricing inconsistently, then negotiating from a weak position

• Networking a lot but not building a system to convert interest into collectors

• Copying what worked in Europe or the US without adapting to how Dubai buyers behave

My consultancy exists to prevent these mistakes and replace them with a clear, repeatable market entry plan.

Your main entry routes in the UAE

Most artists should choose two core routes first, then expand.

1) Art fairs in Dubai and the UAE

Art fairs can be a fast way to generate visibility and sales if you approach them professionally.

A strong fair strategy includes:

• Artwork selection tailored to the audience

• A booth layout that sells

• Pricing tiers that convert

• A clean story and short pitch

• Lead capture, follow up, and CRM tracking

If you treat a fair as a one off weekend, you usually lose money. If you treat it as a sales and network engine, it can change your career.

2) Exhibitions and pop ups

Exhibitions build credibility and content. The key is quality control.

We focus on:

• The curator and organizer credibility

• Who the audience is and how it is built

• What documentation you will receive

• Whether the event creates real connections or only social photos

3) Galleries

Gallery representation in Dubai is possible, but it requires precise positioning and the right approach.

We work on:

• A portfolio sequence that makes sense to a gallery

• Consistent pricing and edition logic

• A short, professional outreach message

• A target list that matches your style and level

• Relationship building strategy that respects how galleries actually operate

4) Online sales and digital presence

Dubai is highly digital. A strong online foundation is not optional.

We improve:

• Your website structure for sales and inquiries

• Instagram content that supports your market position

• A simple collector funnel from interest to purchase

• Logistics readiness so you can actually deliver

5) Residencies and open calls

Residencies can build credibility, network, and long term growth. They are most valuable when they connect into your larger strategy.

We strengthen:

• Your proposal writing

• Your narrative and relevance

• Your portfolio selection for applications

• A calendar based plan so you apply with intention, not panic

My Dubai market entry framework for artists

This is the exact structure we implement together. It is designed to produce measurable outcomes, not vague motivation.

Step 1: Define your market position

Dubai rewards artists who are easy to understand and easy to recommend.

We define:

• Your artistic lane in one sentence

• Your buyer profile, including why they buy and what they buy

• Your Dubai ready story that feels authentic and culturally aware

• The keywords and categories your work should be associated with online

Deliverables:

• Positioning statement

• Artist bio in multiple lengths

• Elevator pitch for fairs, galleries, and commissions

Step 2: Make your portfolio and pricing Dubai ready

Most artists do not fail because of quality. They fail because of presentation and pricing.

We build:

• A portfolio sequence that sells and convinces

• A product ladder with entry works, core works, and statement works

• A pricing logic that supports negotiation without discount panic

• Professional documentation standards

Deliverables:

• Portfolio order and selection logic

• Pricing sheet

• Sales talking points

Step 3: Choose your channels and build a 90 day plan

We choose the fastest path for your goals, then map it into action.

Deliverables:

• 90 day action plan

• 12 month roadmap aligned with the UAE calendar

• Priority list of fairs, exhibitions, galleries, and residencies

Step 4: Applications and outreach that actually get replies

Most outreach fails because it is generic, too long, or targeted at the wrong places.

We create:

• Outreach templates that feel human and professional

• A system for following up without being annoying

• A shortlist of targets that match your style and market level

Deliverables:

• Outreach email templates

• Application template structure

• Target list and tracking system

Step 5: Visibility engine that supports sales and credibility

Dubai is competitive. Visibility is a strategy, not a side activity.

We set up:

• Content topics that attract buyers and curators

• A posting rhythm you can sustain

• Collaboration angles with design, hospitality, and corporate partners

• Lead capture and follow up flow

Deliverables:

• Content plan

• Collaboration pitch template

• Follow up and CRM basics

Step 6: Execution support for fairs and exhibitions

This is where artists either win big or lose money.

We plan:

• Booth layout and artwork selection

• On site sales approach and scripting

• Lead capture and post event conversion

• Practical checklists for production and logistics

Deliverables:

• Fair and exhibition checklist

• Lead tracker

• Sales scripts and follow up messages

Why work with The Art Fair Guy

Many consultants give general career coaching. I focus on market entry systems tied to real platforms and real execution.

What you get from my background:

• Deep understanding of how art fairs work and how to position artists for sales and visibility

• Strong UAE market proximity through major fair and festival ecosystems including World Art Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival

• A technology and operations perspective through scan.art

• Exhibition production insight through Ready to Show traveling exhibitions

This combination helps artists avoid expensive mistakes and build traction faster.

The Art Fair Guy Consultancy fees and how it works

My consulting is simple, structured, and outcome focused.

Free 15 minute intro call

We clarify your goal, your current status, and the fastest first move.

Packages

Standard Package: 140 EUR
One hour consultation

Advanced Package: 600 EUR
Five hours consultation

Premium Package: 1000 EUR
Ten hours consultation

What package should you choose

• Choose one hour if you need a clear decision, a strategy reset, or a second opinion before spending money on a fair or show

• Choose five hours if you want a focused market entry sprint with positioning, channel strategy, and outreach preparation

• Choose ten hours if you want hands on execution support across fairs, applications, outreach, pricing, and visibility systems

What you receive

Every session ends with:

• Clear next steps

• A practical plan you can execute immediately

• Templates and structure where needed

• A realistic roadmap aligned with your timeline and budget

If you are new in Dubai, start here

If you want a simple starting point before we speak, focus on these three actions:

1. Clarify your lane
   What do you want first: sales, credibility, or representation?

2. Fix your portfolio order and pricing
   Dubai buyers respond to clarity and confidence.

3. Choose one primary channel for the next 90 days
   One fair, one outreach strategy, or one targeted exhibition route. Then execute properly.

This is exactly what we build together in consulting.

Book your Artist Consultancy Dubai call

If you want to enter the UAE art market with a real plan, book your free 15 minute intro call via my consultancy page.

You will leave the call knowing:

• What your best entry route is

• What to do first and what to ignore

• Where you are currently losing time or money

• What a realistic 90 day plan looks like for your situation

Contact us: office@theartfairguy.com

Read more about the Art Fair Guy Consultancy here: https://www.theartfairguy.com/art-consultancy/