Dubai is preparing to become a stage for the future of art. The 31st edition of ISEA2026 is set to run for 10 days, bringing the world of electronic and emerging art into the city under the theme "ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data and Identity." Expect a program that moves from outer space to the systems that shape everyday life, through exhibitions, workshops and immersive experiences.
This year marks a first for the event, which adopts a hybrid format built on two pillars: a citywide Artistic Programme and an Online Academic Programme.
The Artistic Programme draws from more than 1,000 art submissions, with a shortlist of interactive installations, exhibitions and live performances. These works will be staged across more than 20 venues in Dubai, including The Foundry, ARTE Museum and Etihad Museum. Al Wasl Dome and Theatre of Digital Art will also host site-specific digital installations designed to fully immerse visitors.
Hands-on sessions round out the schedule. A selection of workshops, among them Calligraphy to Code, explores how calligraphy, letter art and typography can be created with digital tools. Each features conversations with local artists, offering a look at how traditional art forms are evolving in real-world contexts.
On the academic side, panel talks and presentations aim to bring people closer to the networks that surround them. The lineup includes courses such as Charting Constellations and Starlinked Worlds, plus a cosmically minded track titled Celestial Dialogues. A specially curated Ecological Future Labs track also turns to critical thinking to examine sustainable practices.