Exhibo launches as open art platform for MENA galleries and museums

Exhibo has launched in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as the first open digital platform built to connect the MENA art world with collectors, press and cultural travellers. The launch aims to fill a visibility gap in a region where art sales are rising fast but many galleries and museums still lack a dedicated online home.

Why it matters: - Middle Eastern art sales tripled between 2020 and 2024, but the region’s galleries and museums have lacked a single open digital hub. - Exhibo aims to make MENA art easier to discover for collectors, journalists and visitors who do not already have insider access. - The platform gives institutions a public presence in a market that has been growing quickly, but has remained fragmented online.

What happened: - Exhibo launched publicly as an open platform for the MENA art world. - The rollout starts in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with plans to expand across the region. - The platform launched with profiles for more than 1,000 galleries and museums, and new institutions are joining daily.

The details: - Exhibo is built to connect galleries, museums, collectors, press and cultural travellers. - The platform includes public profiles, artwork catalogues, exhibition pages, event pages and a people registry for artists and curators. - Exhibo also includes an integrated press room with global distribution. - Institutions can claim an existing profile in minutes without an invitation. - Galleries and museums with a physical space can join and publish on the platform. - The platform is available at Exhibo. - Exhibo was conceived, designed and built by BARS Agency, a Dubai- and London-based digital studio. - BARS Agency focuses on web products and AI automation for teams across the UAE and GCC.

Between the lines: - The launch challenges invitation-only platforms such as Artsy, Ocula and Artnet, which have historically favored Western markets. - Exhibo’s open-registration model is a direct response to the visibility problem facing MENA galleries and institutions. - The platform is trying to serve multiple audiences at once, from collectors and curators to the working press and first-time visitors.

What's next: - Exhibo plans to expand beyond its initial markets across the wider MENA region. - More galleries and museums are expected to claim profiles and join as the platform grows. - The company is positioning the platform as a default discovery layer for regional art activity.

The bottom line: - Exhibo is betting that MENA’s fast-growing art market needs not just more activity, but better infrastructure to make that activity visible.