/note_thanun_GI_10_Zi_PO_3w_unsplash_172f56dc0f.jpg?size=3118.45)
8 Apr 2025
Photo: note thanun
Digitalisation is a major trend that touches every aspect of our lives. We navigate using online maps instead of the paper ones our grandmothers relied on. There is no need to carry a stack of books while travelling — one device can store an entire library. From hospitals to small beauty salons, businesses now keep their records in digital format.
Art is no exception. Museums offer virtual tours, digital versions of artworks are being bought and sold, and some artists even create their work entirely online. But how is art digitalisation evolving in the UAE, and what does it mean on a global scale?
Virtual museums & exhibitions
Museum digitisation is a global trend. Major institutions like the British Museum in the United Kingdom, the Louvre in France, and the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia already offer digital versions of their collections. While exact figures on how many museums have embraced digitisation are hard to come by, data from 2021 suggested that only 3-5% had fully digitised their collections.
The UAE, however, is not falling behind. Today, we live in a world where all major museums and galleries in the UAE are accessible online. Among them are iconic names such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Museum, and Qasr Al Hosn.
How are museums getting digitised?
The number of digitised museums is one thing — but what matters even more is how they are digitised. Generally, there are three main types of museum digitisation:
- Basic Online Galleries
A simple format that includes descriptions of exhibits and photos of the artifacts, accompanied by brief explanations. It is ideal for those seeking quick access to basic information.
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_18_15_PM_1_5683d96bc8.png?size=118.77)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_18_37_PM_1_3aefb687f9.png?size=96.8)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_19_15_PM_1_cc8f4a5d2e.png?size=177.54)
- 3D Digital Exhibitions
A more advanced format where objects are displayed in 3D, allowing viewers to explore them from different angles.
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_19_50_PM_1_1f6dc2e938.png?size=70.75)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_20_12_PM_1_54a7f99823.png?size=147.15)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_20_22_PM_1_3218cabf84.png?size=108.49)
- Virtual Tours (360° Views)
The most immersive digital experience, simulating a real-life visit where you can “walk” through exhibitions.
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_21_19_PM_1_24886e5f21.png?size=237.53)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_22_43_PM_1_600fe24ad6.png?size=312.74)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_22_19_PM_1_f23e9de033.png?size=226.98)
Each type serves a different purpose: from providing quick information to offering a deep, interactive, and immersive experience. UAE museums tend to go for the more developed options, offering the enhanced experience to their online visitors.
Why is this important for the UAE?
Museum digitisation is happening worldwide, and the UAE getting involved shows the need to be part of global trends. There are three key reasons why it matters for the UAE:
- Alignment with We the UAE 2031
The UAE’s Digital Economy Strategy aims to double the digital economy’s contribution to GDP — from 9.7% in 2022 to 19.4% within ten years. Museum digitisation fits perfectly into this vision — it is one of the steps towards positioning the UAE as a serious global cultural hub.
- Expanding Accessibility
Of course, nothing can replace the feeling of walking through a gallery in person. But for those who cannot travel, online museums are a real solution. According to statistics, more than 50% of online museum visitors are over 55 years old, and 18% are people with disabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic gave this trend a serious push — after 2020, people started seeing digital museums as one of the ways to access art and culture, and many have kept coming back ever since.
- Economic Potential
The global museum market is growing fast — expected to reach USD 17.23 billion by 2029, which is almost triple compared to the numbers in 2022. A lot of this economic growth is coming from digital experiences, including virtual tours and online exhibitions. Digitising is not only modern — it is also economically profitable.
Digital art platforms and NFTs
The digital art space — where artworks are created entirely using digital tools — is growing in the UAE at an insane pace. Today, digital art is showcased in both big and small museums and galleries, right alongside more traditional forms (check out Inloco Gallery in Al Quoz, for example). It is also a central part of all major art and cultural events like SIKKA 2025 and Alserkal Art Week.
A major player in this space is Art Dubai Digital, launched in 2022 as a dedicated section of Art Dubai. Every year, it features around 30 presentations exploring how artists and creatives are working with advanced technologies.
/image_634_43e0ea4c38.png?size=902.4)
Why are NFTs so closely tied to digital art?
When we talk about digital art, NFTs are a key term. Thanks to it, digital art can now be tokenised on the blockchain. This means you can actually own the original piece of the digital artwork, with verified proof of ownership and authenticity. While others can still copy the image, only one version is traceable and considered the true original.
This shift has been a game-changer for digital artists, allowing them to protect their work, earn from it, and gain recognition — just like traditional artists do. A great local example is UAE NFT, a platform supporting regional digital artists and helping them monetise their creativity.
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_33_15_PM_1_449daf956f.png?size=471.19)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_33_30_PM_1_8da6cbcd1e.png?size=335.48)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_33_54_PM_1_42244500ac.png?size=363.56)
The UAE government recognises that the NFT market is a crucial part of today’s economy. That is why, in 2024, it introduced a legal framework to structure all the legal aspects related to digital assets, including NFTs.
Why is digital art a new trend?
- The trend of Globalisation
The shift towards digital art is part of a larger wave of globalisation — breaking down borders and making art more accessible than ever before. Geography no longer limits who can see, create, or own a piece. Styles, backgrounds, and techniques are blending, making the art world more inclusive and interconnected.
- A tool to build awareness
With no borders today, there are now more opportunities for people to discover you, even if you are a small gallery in Dubai or Sharjah. Just stay on trend, and showcase artists whose work reaches audiences across continents.
- The economic angle
NFTs have given digital art a serious boost. It is no longer just something to admire — now you can actually own it.
Some galleries have taken this further. Take 10101.art in DIFC, for example. They do not just sell new digital artworks; they also tokenise iconic, well-known pieces. Ever dreamed of owning something painted by the famous artists? Now, it is possible. And if your budget is tight, you can still buy a fraction of it. The platform allows people to co-own masterpieces by legends like Dalí, Warhol, Picasso, and Banksy.
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_35_16_PM_1_975c0449c9.png?size=398.71)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_35_33_PM_1_7227b1b1dd.png?size=236.94)
/Screenshot_2025_04_04_at_12_36_32_PM_1_7338cbe4db.png?size=386.83)
/medium_BREAKFAST_Courtesy_of_BREAKFAST_Studio_371a645393.jpg?size=71.32)
/medium_dafmoc_1738240877_3556944746295494351_51325589846_37773f66eb.jpg?size=65.75)
/medium_SB_16_BANNERS_01_bbe15a78fc.jpg?size=43.64)
/medium_vigo_e1731483636979_f2efe68985.jpeg?size=17.89)
/medium_Mak2_Home_Sweet_Home_Baptismal_Reverie_2_2023_Courtesy_of_the_artist_and_Peres_Project_scaled_e1699974681871_065c654ecd.jpg?size=41.49)
/medium_Group_2087326283_61078f7796.jpg?size=38.18)