Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah · United Arab Emirates · Founded 1997
Quick answer
Sharjah Art Museum opened in 1997 in the city's Heritage and Arts Area. Open Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Admission: free standard admission. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Sharjah Art Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Saturday to Thursday mornings. |
| Getting there | Taxi: Taxi or ride-hailing from Sharjah city centre — 10 minutes to Heritage Area |
| Address | Al Mareija, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| Official website | sharjahmuseums.ae |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Sharjah Art Museum known for?
Sharjah Art Museum opened in 1997 in the city's Heritage and Arts Area. Its three-storey building was inspired by traditional Sharjah townhouses with windcatchers and shaded courtyards.
One of the largest art museums in the Gulf, it is anchored by the Barjeel Foundation collection of modern Arab art — works by artists from across the Middle East and North Africa.
Sharjah has been UNESCO World Book Capital and hosts the Sharjah Biennial, one of the most important contemporary art events in the region. The museum is the permanent home for the emirate's art collection.
Admission is free at all Sharjah Museums Authority venues, making it an accessible entry point to Arab modern and contemporary art.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Photographers
How long do you need at Sharjah Art Museum?
Allow 1.5–2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Sharjah Art Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Barjeel Foundation Collection
📍 Permanent galleries, floors 1–2
Works by pioneering Arab modernists including Mahmoud Said, Fahrelnissa Zeid, and Shakir Hassan Al Said — the most comprehensive public collection of modern Arab art in the Gulf.
- 2
Orientalist Paintings
📍 Ground floor
Nineteenth-century European paintings of the Arab world — desert scenes, marketplaces, and architectural views that document Western artistic engagement with the Middle East.
- 3
Contemporary Gulf Art
📍 Temporary exhibition wing
Rotating displays of contemporary artists from the UAE and Gulf region, reflecting Sharjah's role as a hub for regional contemporary art practice.
- 4
Calligraphy and Islamic Art
📍 Special collections gallery
Islamic calligraphy and decorative arts alongside modern Arab artists working in calligraphic traditions.
What are the must-see works at Sharjah Art Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Barjeel Foundation Collection, Orientalist Paintings, Contemporary Gulf Art and more.
Barjeel Foundation Collection
Modern Arab artists · 20th century
📍 Permanent galleries, floors 1–2
Works by pioneering Arab modernists including Mahmoud Said, Fahrelnissa Zeid, and Shakir Hassan Al Said — the most comprehensive public collection of modern Arab art in the Gulf.
Orientalist Paintings
European artists · 19th century
📍 Ground floor
Nineteenth-century European paintings of the Arab world — desert scenes, marketplaces, and architectural views that document Western artistic engagement with the Middle East.
Contemporary Gulf Art
Various · 21st century
📍 Temporary exhibition wing
Rotating displays of contemporary artists from the UAE and Gulf region, reflecting Sharjah's role as a hub for regional contemporary art practice.
Calligraphy and Islamic Art
Various · historical to modern
📍 Special collections gallery
Islamic calligraphy and decorative arts alongside modern Arab artists working in calligraphic traditions.
Collections and highlights
- • Barjeel Foundation modern Arab art
- • Orientalist nineteenth-century painting
- • Contemporary Gulf and Arab art
- • Sharjah Biennial programme
- • Islamic calligraphy and decorative arts
- • Temporary exhibitions by regional artists
Tips for visiting Sharjah Art Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Saturday to Thursday mornings. Friday afternoons after 4 PM when the museum reopens.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Quiet compared to Dubai museums. Busier during Sharjah Biennial (odd years, February–June).
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Free admission at all Sharjah Museums Authority venues. No booking required.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Cafés in the Heritage Area; Al Qasba waterfront restaurants 10 minutes away.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible with lifts to all floors. Air-conditioned throughout.
How do you get to Sharjah Art Museum?
- taxi Taxi or ride-hailing from Sharjah city centre — 10 minutes to Heritage Area
- bus Sharjah public bus to Al Mareija in the Arts Area
- car Free parking at the Heritage and Arts Area; 15 minutes from Dubai via E11
Address: Al Mareija, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Sharjah Art Museum: frequently asked questions
Is admission free?
Yes, all Sharjah Museums Authority venues offer free entry.
When is the Sharjah Biennial?
The biennial typically runs from February to June in odd-numbered years.
How long should I spend at Sharjah Art Museum?
Plan 1.5–2 hours for the highlights of Sharjah Art Museum. Our 4-stop route — Barjeel Foundation Collection, Orientalist Paintings, Contemporary Gulf Art and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Sharjah Art Museum best known for?
Sharjah Art Museum opened in 1997 in the city's Heritage and Arts Area. Its three-storey building was inspired by traditional Sharjah townhouses with windcatchers and shaded courtyards. Key highlights include Barjeel Foundation modern Arab art, Sharjah Biennial venue, Orientalist nineteenth-century painting.
How do I get tickets for Sharjah Art Museum?
Free standard admission. You can walk in without a ticket; paid exhibitions are booked separately. Official site: https://sharjahmuseums.ae/en-US/Our-Museums/Sharjah-Art-Museum
Is admission really free?
Yes — all Sharjah Museums Authority venues offer free entry, including the Art Museum, Islamic Civilization Museum, and others in the Heritage Area.
Can I combine with other Sharjah museums?
Yes — the Museum of Islamic Civilization, Calligraphy Museum, and Heritage Museum are all within walking distance in the Arts Area.
What are Sharjah Art Museum's opening hours?
Sharjah Art Museum is open Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
