Representatives of Sharjah’s leading cultural and governmental institutions convened today to initiate a coordinated effort to document and preserve the emirate’s modern architectural heritage.

The inaugural meeting of the Committee for the Preservation of Modern Architectural Heritage in the Emirate of Sharjah was held on 10 September 2026 at The Flying Saucer. The meeting was led by Sheikha Nawar bint Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the committee and Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation. 

Recognising the cultural significance of buildings and sites that form an integral part of Sharjah’s collective memory and urban landscape, the committee will develop strategies, policies and legislation for their classification and protection, while fostering greater public understanding and appreciation of their value.

This initiative follows the adoption of the National Policy for the Preservation of Modern Architectural Heritage by the UAE Ministry of Culture last year, which recognises architectural heritage as an essential part of national identity and the country’s tangible cultural heritage. 

In Sharjah, this commitment is already reflected in efforts to restore and adaptively reuse modern heritage buildings, several of which have been repurposed as cultural and creative venues. These include The Flying Saucer, Kalba Ice Factory, Al Hamriyah Studios, Bank Street building, Photography Gallery, Al Dhaid Art Centre, Al Dhaid Arts Palace, Al Qasimia School, Khalid bin Mohammed School and Old Al Jubail Vegetable Market.

By giving existing buildings new uses, these projects have kept iconic sites active, allowing their architectural character and histories to remain part of Sharjah’s contemporary landscape. The committee will draw on this experience to propose a broader framework for the preservation of modern architectural heritage across the emirate, and establish a more concerted approach to identifying and protecting such sites for future generations.

The committee includes representatives from the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Department of Town Planning and Survey, Sharjah Art Foundation, Department of Public Works, and the municipalities of Sharjah, Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, Al Bataeh, Al Madam, Mleiha, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn and Khor Fakkan.

To learn more about Sharjah Art Foundation’s repurposed spaces, visit sharjahart.org.

Sharjah Art Foundation is an advocate, catalyst and producer of contemporary art within the Emirate of Sharjah and the surrounding region, in dialogue with the international arts community. The Foundation advances an experimental and wide-ranging programmatic model that supports the production and presentation of contemporary art, preserves and celebrates the distinct culture of the region and encourages a shared understanding of the transformational role of art. The Foundation's core initiatives include the long-running Sharjah Biennial, featuring contemporary artists from around the world; the annual March Meeting, a convening of international arts professionals and artists; grants and residencies for artists, curators and cultural producers; ambitious and experimental commissions and a range of travelling exhibitions and scholarly publications.

Established in 2009 to expand programmes beyond the Sharjah Biennial, which launched in 1993, the Foundation is a critical resource for artists and cultural organisations in the Gulf and a conduit for local, regional and international developments in contemporary art. The Foundation's deep commitment to developing and sustaining the cultural life and heritage of Sharjah is reflected through year-round exhibitions, performances, screenings and educational programmes in the city of Sharjah and across the Emirate, often hosted in historic buildings that have been repurposed as cultural and community centres. A growing collection reflects the Foundation's support of contemporary artists in the realisation of new work and its recognition of the contributions made by pioneering modern artists from the region and around the world.

Sharjah Art Foundation is a legally independent public body established by Emiri Decree and supported by government funding, grants from national and international nonprofits and cultural organisations, corporate sponsors and individual patrons. Hoor Al Qasimi serves as President and Director. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Sharjah is the third largest of the seven United Arab Emirates, and the only one bridging the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Reflecting the deep commitment to the arts, architectural preservation and cultural education embraced by its ruler, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah is home to more than 20 museums and has long been known as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. It was named UNESCO's Arab Capital of Culture for 1998 and the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2019.

Joseph De la Cerna
joseph@sharjahart.org
+971 (0)6 5444113