Dubai is preparing to host ISEA2026, the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art, from 6 to 15 November 2026. Hosted by Dubai Culture, the event will bring digital art, immersive installations, exhibitions and performances to venues across the city. Residents and visitors can register for the free artistic programme to explore how art, science and technology are shaping new creative experiences.
- Location: Multiple venues across Dubai
- Host: Dubai Culture, with Zayed University as academic partner
- Dates: 6–15 November 2026
- Highlights: More than 100 selected artworks, exhibitions, installations and performances
- Who can attend: Dubai residents, tourists, art lovers, students and creative professionals
- Entry: Free for the artistic programme with advance registration
- Registration: Open through the official ISEA2026 website
Looking for something different to explore in Dubai this November? ISEA2026 Dubai will bring digital art, interactive installations and immersive experiences to venues across the city from 6 to 15 November 2026. Hosted by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art will feature more than 100 selected artworks exploring the relationship between art, science and technology.
The best part for residents and visitors is that the artistic programme is free to attend with advance registration. Rather than taking place in one location, ISEA2026 will unfold across galleries, museums, creative spaces and other venues, giving audiences an opportunity to discover new forms of artistic expression while exploring different parts of Dubai.
What Can You Expect at ISEA2026 Dubai?
ISEA2026 brings together artists, researchers, technologists and audiences interested in how creativity meets emerging technology. Its artistic programme includes exhibitions, digital installations, interactive artworks, immersive experiences and live audio-visual performances.
According to Dubai Culture, the artistic programme received more than 1,000 submissions, with over 100 artworks shortlisted for the event.
The symposium will follow a hybrid format, combining in-person artistic experiences across Dubai with an online academic programme. This allows audiences to experience the artworks in person while artists and researchers exchange ideas through talks, workshops and discussions online.
For visitors, the focus is on experiencing art in different ways. Instead of viewing traditional works alone, audiences can explore how light, sound, movement, digital imagery and interactive technologies influence the way art is created and experienced.
Whether someone enjoys contemporary art, photography, design, digital media or simply wants to try something new, the citywide programme offers several ways to engage with creative work.
Which Dubai Venues Are Hosting ISEA2026?
One of the most interesting aspects of ISEA2026 is its spread across the city. Participating venues include established cultural institutions, galleries and spaces known for art, design and immersive experiences.
Here are some locations to look out for.
ARTE Museum at Dubai Mall
ARTE Museum will host immersive art experiences that invite visitors to engage with digital environments through visual and sensory elements. Located inside Dubai Mall, it offers an opportunity to combine an art-focused outing with other activities in the area.
The Foundry and Kanvas
The Foundry on Downtown Boulevard and Kanvas at Al Khayat Art Avenue are among the venues hosting exhibitions. Visitors can explore selected artworks and discover different approaches to contemporary and emerging art.
Theatre of Digital Art (TODA)
Located at Madinat Jumeirah, TODA will host performances as part of the programme. Visitors interested in attending should check the published schedule and any advance booking requirements for individual sessions.
Dubai Design District and Al Wasl Dome
Dubai Design District (d3) will connect the symposium with the city’s wider design scene. Al Wasl Dome at Expo City Dubai is also included, with projection mapping among the planned experiences.
Other participating venues include Etihad Museum, Al Safa Art and Design Library, Al Shindagha and DIFC Gate. As the event approaches, visitors should consult the official programme for the latest venue details, timings and access arrangements.
What Does the Theme ELYAH Mean?
ISEA2026 takes place under the theme ‘ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data and Identity’. It explores how people understand their surroundings, connect with different cultures and express their identities in an increasingly digital world.
The theme reflects Dubai’s position as a city where cultural heritage, international communities and technological development meet. It also raises questions about how digital tools influence the way people communicate, create and experience the world around them.
The symposium’s academic programme explores four connected themes:
- Celestial Dialogues: The relationship between art, technology, cultural storytelling and the cosmic imagination.
- Charting Constellations: How digital networks, mapping, geography and data influence ideas about place and identity.
- Eco-Tech Futures: The role of art and technology in exploring environmental awareness, climate challenges and sustainability.
- Starlinked Worlds: How artificial intelligence, virtual environments and digital networks are changing creative expression and human connections.
The programme also includes Evolving Calligraphy, Letter Art and Typography, with Calligraphy to Code examining how traditional letterforms and writing systems can be reinterpreted through digital and computational media.
These themes make ISEA2026 more than an exhibition series. They invite audiences to consider how technology is changing familiar creative practices and opening up new possibilities for artists.
Talks, Workshops and New Media Art
Alongside the citywide artistic programme, ISEA2026 will host an online academic programme from 6 to 14 November.
The programme includes academic papers, keynote addresses, artist talks, panel discussions, workshops and Eco Labs. The New Media Art Summit will explore the evolution of artistic practice through digital networks, interactive media, immersive environments and artificial intelligence.
Eco Labs will examine the relationship between technology, ecological systems and artistic practice, bringing creative perspectives to discussions about environmental responsibility.
For artists, designers, students and technology professionals, these sessions offer opportunities to explore new ideas and learn about developments in digital and emerging art.
The academic programme is separate from the free artistic programme and requires a paid pass. Standard tickets cost AED 180, while student tickets cost AED 90 with a valid university email address.
Why ISEA2026 Is Worth Adding to Your November Plans?
Dubai’s cultural calendar offers plenty of reasons to explore the city, and ISEA2026 adds another option for anyone interested in art, design and technology.
Its citywide format means visitors can discover creative experiences at different locations rather than limiting their visit to one exhibition. The participating venues also provide opportunities to explore parts of Dubai’s cultural scene that audiences may not usually include in their weekend plans.
The free artistic programme makes the event accessible to residents and tourists who want to experience emerging art without paying for an artistic programme ticket. Advance registration is still required, and some individual experiences may have additional booking or access conditions.
The event also supports Dubai Culture’s Digital Arts Roadmap by encouraging creative experimentation and connecting local talent with international artists and researchers.
For Dubai’s creative community, the symposium provides a platform for exchanging ideas and exploring how art, science and technology can inform one another. For the wider public, it offers a chance to see how digital creativity is influencing contemporary culture.
How to Register for ISEA2026 Dubai?
Registration is now open, so visitors can start planning their experience ahead of the event.
To attend the artistic programme:
- Visit the official ISEA2026 website at isea-2026.isea-international.org.
- Select the registration option for the Live Artistic Programme.
- Complete the registration process to obtain a free pass.
- Check the programme for participating venues, exhibition dates and performance timings before visiting.
The artistic programme runs from 6 to 15 November 2026 and is free to attend with advance registration.
Those interested in the online academic programme can register separately for a standard pass priced at AED 180 or a student pass priced at AED 90. Student bookings require a valid university email address.
Visitors should check the official programme for the latest schedule and any specific requirements for individual experiences.
FAQs About ISEA2026 Dubai
When is ISEA2026 Dubai taking place?
ISEA2026 will run from 6 to 15 November 2026. The live artistic programme takes place across Dubai, while the online academic programme runs from 6 to 14 November.
Is entry to ISEA2026 free?
Yes. The live artistic programme is free to attend, but advance registration is required. The separate online academic programme requires a paid ticket.
Where will ISEA2026 events take place?
Participating venues include ARTE Museum at Dubai Mall, The Foundry, Kanvas, TODA at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Design District, Etihad Museum, Al Shindagha and Al Wasl Dome at Expo City Dubai.
What can visitors see at ISEA2026?
The programme features more than 100 selected artworks, including exhibitions, digital installations, interactive and immersive experiences, live audio-visual performances and projection mapping.
How can I register for ISEA2026?
Visit the official ISEA2026 website at isea-2026.isea-international.org and select the Live Artistic Programme registration option to obtain a free pass.
Make ISEA2026 Part of Your November Plans
From immersive installations to exhibitions and live performances, ISEA2026 will bring a different kind of artistic experience to Dubai from 6 to 15 November. With more than 100 selected artworks planned across the city, it is an opportunity to explore emerging art, discover new creative spaces and see how technology is influencing artistic expression.
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