Nomad Art Fair to Transform Historic Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal Again in November

The second Nomad Abu Dhabi is set to return in November, once again transforming the former Terminal 1 of Abu Dhabi’s old airport into a vibrant showcase for contemporary art and collectible design. The travelling fair will run from November 18 to 22, returning to the distinctive terminal building that famously hosted its Middle East debut last year. Nomad describes the Abu Dhabi iteration as part of its ongoing commitment to the region, with the event strategically timed to coincide with one of the busiest periods on the capital’s cultural calendar.

Unlike conventional fairs built around rows of temporary gallery booths, Nomad selects architecturally distinctive venues and incorporates their surroundings directly into its exhibitions. Previous editions of the fair have taken place in locations such as St Moritz, Capri, Venice and Cannes. Nomad's return to Terminal 1 continues that signature approach.

The building originally opened in 1982 and was designed by French architect Paul Andreu, whose other notable projects included Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Its vast tent-like roof, arched walkways, and green and blue-tiled interiors have long made the terminal one of the UAE capital’s most recognisable pieces of modernist architecture. The terminal was eventually decommissioned following the opening of the new Terminal A at Zayed International Airport.

Nomad successfully brought the building back into public use for its Abu Dhabi debut in November 2025, repurposing former departure areas and the central hall for gallery presentations, installations, and design projects from the UAE and abroad. Approximately 21 galleries and institutions participated last year, including Dubai's Third Line, AP Room and Leila Heller Gallery, alongside international participants from cities like Cairo, Milan, Paris, Istanbul, Tunis and Athens.

The programming also extended far beyond conventional gallery presentations. The Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council presented its Tilad Collection in collaboration with Mexican artist Ricardo Rendon, while design collective Super Loop explored rich regional traditions such as mother-of-pearl inlay and hand-carved wood.

Nomad co-founder Giorgio Pace told The National that the inaugural format was intended to foster a closer relationship between the artworks and their surroundings, rather than treating the venue simply as a standard exhibition hall. Signalling a long-term vision, Nomad co-founder Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte stated that the team planned to return to Terminal 1 over the following four years, creating continuous opportunities to introduce further commissions, performances, and installations.

While specific details regarding the participating galleries, artists, and special projects for this year are yet to be announced, organisers confirm that the exhibition will maintain its strong focus on collectible design while gathering curators, collectors, and cultural figures together. The organisers view Abu Dhabi as an increasingly vital market for galleries and aim to establish a permanent presence in the region.

This year's timing places the fair directly amid an expanding cultural season in the capital, arriving just weeks before another major milestone for Abu Dhabi's arts landscape: the scheduled opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island in December. For visitors, the second edition of the fair will once again offer a rare opportunity to enter Terminal 1, successfully converting a structure once defined by arrivals and departures into a premier cultural destination.