On Sharjah’s canal-side Al Qasba, Barjeel Art Foundation presents modern and contemporary Arab art from a personal collection. It is based at Maraya Art Centre, in the leisure district between Al Khan and Khalid Lagoons.
- Location: Block E, Maraya Art Centre, Al Qasba.
- Collection: modern and contemporary Arab art.
- Admission: general admission is free; confirm current details before visiting.
What to know about Barjeel Art Foundation
Barjeel Art Foundation manages and exhibits a personal collection of modern and contemporary Arab art. Emirati commentator Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi established the foundation in 2010 to look after and present his collection.
Maraya Art Centre, in Block E at Al Qasba, is described by Sharjah’s tourism board as the foundation’s home. The centre also hosts exhibitions, lectures, regular workshops for all ages and a free book exchange. These give the visit a wider arts-centre context, though current programming can change.
Al Qasba sits on the canal between Al Khan and Khalid Lagoons. If you’re planning time around the city as well, what to include in a Sharjah city-centre visit can help put this stop into a broader itinerary.
How do you get to Barjeel Art Foundation?
From Crystal Plaza Hotel, Barjeel Art Foundation is about an 11-minute drive. Crystal Plaza offers two-star rooms in Sharjah.
The foundation is at Maraya Art Centre in Al Qasba, a leisure district on the canal between Al Khan and Khalid Lagoons. You can pair a visit with the centre’s exhibitions, lectures, workshops or free book exchange; check what is currently running. The available visitor information does not identify a public-transport option.
For broader trip planning, how to get around Sharjah is relevant to choosing transport for other stops, too.
What can you see, and what are the visitor details?
The collection focuses on modern and contemporary Arab art, while exhibitions change over time. Past exhibition titles include Women’s Work and Hudood: Rethinking Boundaries; these are previous shows, not a guide to what is currently on view. Check the foundation’s current exhibition information before making plans around a particular display.
A venue listing gives general admission as free. Visitor listings differ on Sunday, and hours may also change on public holidays and during Ramadan. Rather than rely on a schedule that may no longer apply, check the official site before you go.
Details about photography rules and booking requirements are not confirmed here. If either could affect your visit, look for the foundation’s current visitor guidance before setting out.
Before you set out
Confirm the current exhibitions and opening arrangements before travelling, particularly if you plan your visit around a specific day. You can then use the Al Qasba location to orient your journey to Maraya Art Centre.
The centre’s exhibitions, lectures, workshops and book exchange are separate parts of its programme, so check what is running if you hope to take part in one.
FAQs
Where is Barjeel Art Foundation?
It is based at Maraya Art Centre, Block E, in Al Qasba, Sharjah. Al Qasba is the leisure district on the canal between Al Khan and Khalid Lagoons.
What kind of art does the foundation focus on?
Its collection focuses on modern and contemporary Arab art.
Is admission to Barjeel Art Foundation free?
General admission is free. Confirm current visitor details with the foundation before your visit.
Are the opening hours consistent across sources?
Open daily. No. Visitor information differs on Sunday, and one source notes that hours may change on public holidays and during Ramadan. Check the foundation’s official site for current arrangements.