Sharjah Art Foundation has launched the Photography Gallery, described as the first public gallery in the UAE dedicated to photography.
The venue was inaugurated on 8 November 2025 by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, alongside senior officials and artists.

Located at Kuwait Roundabout in Al Manakh, the Photography Gallery is an adaptive reuse project that transforms a former telecommunications building into a year round hub for lens based media.

Quick facts for visitors

• What it is: A dedicated photography institution with exhibitions, learning spaces, and production facilities

• Where: Al Manakh, facing Kuwait Roundabout, Sharjah

• Why it matters: It formalises photography as a major public facing cultural focus in the UAE

• What you can do: See large scale exhibitions, attend workshops, and engage with film and photography initiatives

For practical visit planning (including the venue listing and updates), check the Photography Gallery page on Sharjah Art Foundation’s website.

Why this new Photography Gallery matters for the UAE (and Middle East) art scene

Photography has long been central to contemporary art across the Gulf, but dedicated public institutions focused solely on the medium have been rare. By positioning the Photography Gallery as a permanent, public venue, Sharjah Art Foundation is creating a clear home for:

• Historical photographic narratives and archival material

• Contemporary and experimental photography across documentary, conceptual, and studio practice

• Professional development, with learning spaces and workshop infrastructure

This is also consistent with Sharjah’s wider cultural strategy of strengthening long term institutions through adaptive reuse, rather than building only new flagships.

A landmark adaptive reuse project in Al Manakh

The building was originally constructed in the late 1970s and was among Sharjah’s early modern structures, commissioned during a period of rapid urban expansion. It later underwent multiple alterations and partial demolitions before falling into disuse in the early 2010s.

Sharjah Art Foundation’s redesign approach focused on revealing the building’s historical layers while opening up expansive spaces for exhibitions and education.
The project was designed by Sharjah Art Foundation’s team (Ali Al Saqban and Nethra Ganesan) in collaboration with SpaceContinuum Design Studio, and executed by Dawson Partners.

What’s inside the Photography Gallery

The Photography Gallery is designed as a multifaceted cultural hub, not just a white cube exhibition space. Highlights include:

Exhibition and collection spaces

• Two large scale exhibition halls, each with its own architectural character

• A dedicated gallery featuring photographs and archival documents from the collection of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi

Learning and production facilities

• A flexible open studio for lectures and workshops

• Digital printing stations with film scanning capabilities

• A dedicated darkroom for analog printing

• A cyclorama for studio based photo shoots

Visitor amenities

• A cafe integrated into the building’s public programme

Opening programme: what to see

Sharjah Art Foundation’s Photography Gallery is positioned to host Vantage Point Sharjah, the Foundation’s annual photography exhibition, alongside professional workshops, film initiatives, and large scale exhibitions by international photographers.

At launch, Sharjah Art Foundation also announced exhibitions including Photographic Encounters along the Gulf Coasts (a long term presentation drawn from the Foundation’s collections) and Image Keepers as part of the inaugural programme.

Vantage Point Sharjah: why photographers should pay attention

If you are a photographer based in the GCC or looking to enter the UAE exhibition ecosystem, Vantage Point Sharjah is one of the most credible institutional platforms to track.

Practical tip: even when an open call window is closed, it is worth preparing your “ready to submit” package early, because these programmes often ask for consistent essentials:

• A tight portfolio edit (cohesive series beats highlights)

• A short project statement written for non specialists

• Production details (print sizes, edition strategy, installation needs)

• A clear bio that proves exhibition readiness in the region

How to use this venue strategically as an artist or gallery

For artists

• Treat Sharjah as a long game market: institutional visibility can translate into future invitations and stronger credibility with galleries and collectors across the UAE.

• Make your print strategy professional: paper, mounting, editions, and archival specs matter more in photography focused contexts.

For galleries and curators

• The Photography Gallery is a strong anchor point for programming trips that also include Sharjah Art Foundation’s broader network of venues and projects, which regularly activate repurposed buildings across the Emirate.

The Art Fair Guy Consultancy

If you are planning to exhibit photography in the UAE, or want to position your work for institutional opportunities like Sharjah Art Foundation programmes, I can help you with:

• Portfolio and series editing for curatorial selection

• Print and edition strategy for the Gulf market

• Pitch decks, bios, and application readiness

• Target list building for UAE exhibitions, fairs, and credible partners

Reach out via The Art Fair Guy consulting to get a tailored action plan.

FAQ

Is the Sharjah Art Foundation Photography Gallery the first of its kind in the UAE?
Sharjah Art Foundation describes it as the first public gallery in the UAE dedicated to photography.

Where is the Photography Gallery in Sharjah?
It is located in Al Manakh, facing Kuwait Roundabout.

What can visitors expect inside?
Two large scale exhibition halls, a collection and archive display, learning spaces, digital printing with film scanning, a darkroom, a cyclorama, and a cafe.

What is Vantage Point Sharjah?
It is Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual photography exhibition, planned as a recurring anchor programme for the Photography Gallery.