Souq Art Fair

Our Rulebook

The Souq Art Fair Standards

Premium. Curated. Built for selling. We set a new benchmark for the emerging art market in the Middle East.

Souq Art Fair exists to set a new benchmark for the emerging art market in the Middle East. We are not a volume fair. We are a curated marketplace where collectors buy with confidence and artists grow with credibility.

If you exhibit at Souq Art Fair, you agree to the following Standards:

01 Curation First

We select exhibitors — we do not rent walls. We prioritise coherent bodies of work, clear artistic identity, and professional readiness.

  • No Random assortments, filler works, copied works, or mass decor-style reproductions

02 Only Living Artists

All artists shown at Souq Art Fair must be living. Souq Art Fair is built to support artist careers, not estates.

03 Originals & Controlled Editions Only

We only present work that collectors can trust.

Sculpture

max edition 10

Photography

max edition 50

Prints

max edition 100

  • Original artworks and limited editions with strict edition discipline
  • No open editions, reproductions, copied works, or 'print on demand' products

04 Pricing Discipline Builds Collector Trust

Souq Art Fair is designed for new collectors and serious buyers. Exhibitors must present a meaningful selection of accessible, affordable works and offer price transparency.

  • Souq Art Fair price ceiling: USD 10,000
  • Prices must be consistent, transparent, and aligned with the fair's positioning

05 Transparency Is Non-Negotiable

Every artwork must be clearly labelled with:
Artist
Title
Year
Medium
Size
Edition number
Price
  • Certificates of authenticity are required for limited editions and photography

06 Museum Clean, Not Market Clutter

Souq Art Fair must look curated. This is how we protect your sales environment.

  • Minimum spacing between artworks: 30 cm
  • No artworks leaning on the floor
  • Works on paper must be framed
  • No tape on walls
  • No overcrowded walls — negative space is required
  • Stacking is limited and only allowed as part of a coherent series
  • Souq Art Fair reserves the right to request on-site adjustments or artwork removals before opening

07 Pre-Approval Process

To protect fair quality and collector confidence, every exhibitor must submit:
  • Artwork list with prices
  • Booth plan or hanging concept
  • Edition and authenticity confirmation
  • What is installed must match what was approved

08 Professional Behaviour & Sales Readiness

Souq Art Fair is a commercial platform. Exhibitors are expected to be prepared to sell.

  • Clear pricing and negotiation discipline
  • Professional communication with buyers
  • Packaging and delivery readiness
  • Respectful conduct towards visitors, staff, and other exhibitors

09 Built for Your Long-Term Growth

Souq Art Fair supports exhibitors through:

  • Collector onboarding and guided tours
  • Sales and booth strategy support
  • PR and visibility opportunities
  • Year-round talent pipeline through the Middle East Emerging Artist Award
  • One of a kind residency programme

Our Promise

We will protect the Souq Art Fair standard with strict curation, strong quality control, and a collector-first experience. Because when the fair feels premium, exhibitors sell more, collectors return, and careers accelerate.

Apply to Exhibit