Art galleries
Al Jahili Fort
Traditional Arabic fort dating back to 1891. Jahili has both a permanent exhibition devoted to the British travel writer and explorer Wilfred Thessiger, as well as a temporary exhibition area.
Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain. Open Tue-Thu 9am-5pm; Fri 3pm-5pm; Sat 9am-5pm.
Barakat Gallery
The nation’s biggest collection of ancient artworks, including archaic pieces from Egyptian, Greek and Chinese civilisations, as well as centuries-old jewellery and paintings.
Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm. Emirates Palace Hotel, Ras Al Akhdar, www.barakatgalleryuae.com (02 690 8950).
Eclectic
Period furniture and textiles sit alongside paintings, sculpture and ceramics by established Arabic artists. There are also items of jewellery for sale, plus a restoration service.
Open Sun-Thu 10.30am-1.30pm, 5pm-9pm. Khalidiyah Street, Al Khalidiyah (02 666 5158).
Folklore Gallery
One of the oldest galleries in the city, with a focus on affordable art and Arabic themes. Those looking to start their own collection without spending a fortune should drop by.
Open Sat–Thu 9am–9pm, Closed Fri. Zayed 1st Street, next to First Gulf bank, Khalidiyah, www.folkloregallery.net (02 666 0361).
Gallery One
Arguably the city’s flagship art space, having hosted the works of Cezanne, Mondrian, Picasso and Pollock in the last couple of years.
Open daily 10am-10pm. Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar, www.g-1.com (02 690 9000).
Ghaf Art Gallery
A spacious platform for local artists, with monthly shows featuring the creations of the city’s most innovative individuals and art groups.
Open Sat-Thu 10am-9pm. Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Khalidiyah, www.ghafgallery.blogspot.com (02 665 5332).
Manarat Al Saadiyat
Home to permanent exhibition The Saadiyat Story, featuring scale models of the stunning architecture set to form the heart of Abu Dhabi’s ambitious new cultural district.
Open daily 10am-8pm. Sheikh Khalifa Bridge, Saadiyat Island, www.saadiyat.ae (02 643 5781).
Paris Abu Dhabi
Penthouse apartment-based exhibition space sporting both ancient and contemporary works, with modern masterpieces sitting alongside some of the oldest Qurans in the world. Visits by appointment only. Al Sahel Towers, Corniche Road, www.parisabudhabi-artgallery.com (02 635 9194).
Salwa Zeidan Gallery
Owned and operated by a self-taught Lebanese artist, exhibitions cover artists from a broad range of nationalities, working with a huge variety of media.
Open Sun-Thu 9am-7pm; Fri-Sat by appointment. Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Khalidiyah, www.salwazeidangallery.com (02 666 9656).
Crafts & design
Abu Dhabi Pottery
A cosy little art space exhibiting the work of Homa Farley. For those looking to get their hands dirty, there’s also weekly classes for both adults and kids.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-1pm, 4.30pm-9pm. 16th Street, next to Khalidiyah Garden, Al Khalidiyah, www.abudhabipottery.com (02 666 7079).
Al Qattara Arts Centre
A place for Al Ain’s creative minds to keep busy, offering classes for children and adults in drawing, painting, calligraphy, photography and more. All courses cost Dhs300 for a month’s worth of lessons.
Open daily 9am-8pm. Al Ain (03 761 8080).
Drama
Abu Dhabi Dramatic Society
Novices and seasoned thespians alike are welcome. There’s an annual pantomime to get involved in, plus several productions throughout the year. Available for members of The Club.
Meena Street, Al Meena, www.abudhabidrama.com (02 673 1111).
New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi
The renowned cinematic school offers courses on all aspects of filmmaking. Call for more information.
Open Sun-Thu 9am-6pm. Muroor Road, Al Muroor, www.abudhabifilm school.com (02 446 6442).
Resuscitation Theatre
Offering a variety of workshops and private coaching for actors, Resuscitation Theatre frequently puts on classic plays, and to that end, are always on the look-out for raw talent.
www.resuscitationtheatre.com. For more info contact Maggie Hannan at (050 837 1563).
Fan Groups
Abu Dhabi Anime Club For comics, cartoons and all things Japan or Korea related. ADAnime is an active group of fans who do everything from cos-play to collecting manga.
www.adanimeclub.com or sign up with them on Facebook www.facebook.com/AbuDhabianimeclub.
Languages
Amideast
Lessons are provided in basic Arabic conversation, general and business English, TOEFL and GMAT preparation.
Open Sun-Thu 8am-2pm. CERT Technology Park, 19th and 4th Street, www.amideast.org/uae (02 445 6720).
Berlitz
A language school offering tuition in Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Portuguese.
Open Sun-Thu 8am-8:30pm; Sat 9am-1pm. Zayed the 1st Street, Al Khalidiyah, www.berlitz.ae (02 667 2287).
Circolo Italiano
Italian classes with well-priced sessions for beginners and cheaper courses for those more advanced in the lingo.
Call for timings. www.cicer-abudhabi.com (02 643 9626).
Goethe Institut
Classes for novices, as well as those already familiar with the German language.
Open Sun-Thu 9am-5pm. Sheikh Zayed the 2nd Street, Tourist Club Area, www.goethe.de/abudhabi (02 672 7920).
Iqra’a
Arabic teaching centre Offers courses in Arabic as a foreign language, as well as special advanced courses for Arabs, plus private courses in Arabic calligraphy, poetry and story writing. Tuition fees start at Dhs600 for 24 hours of lessons, and first lesson is free for new students.
Open Sat-Thu from 8am-1pm, 5pm-9pm. Airport Road near Delma Street, iqraacnt@emirates.net.ae (02 446 7220).
Japanese Lessons
Learn to tell your kimono from your katana with a course of tutorials put on by the UAE-Japan Society. Experience not essential.
Classes are tentative, so call for information. www.uae.emb-japan.go.jp (02 443 5696).
The Mother Tongue
Arabic courses and tuition books available, with classes starting at 1,800 for 36 hours of lessons.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-2pm, 4pm-9pm. Sheikh Zayed the 1st Street, Bin Fardan Building, Al Khalidiyah, www.mothertongue.ae (02 639 3838).
Libraries
Al Shaheen Library
Claims to be the city’s only privately owned public library and stocks the latest issues of your favourite health and style magazines, alongside classics and best-sellers.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-1pm, 5pm-10pm; Fri 5pm-10pm. Electra Street behind exhibition building, www.booklovers.8k.com (02 676 8995).
Daly Community Library
Owned and operated by the St Andrew’s Church, which pledges all membership revenue towards updating their catalogue and renting the premises.
Open Wed 11am-1.30pm, 5pm-6.30pm; Thu 11am-1.30pm; Sun 3.30pm-7.30pm. St Andrew’s Church, Airport Road and 17th Street (02 446 4752).
French Alliance
Membership includes access to a media library of more than 18000 books, magazines, DVDs and CDs. As well as 10 percent discount on languages classes and preferential rates on all activities. Dhs1,000 per year per family, or Dhs750 person.
Open Sun-Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 10am-6pm. Khalid Bin Abdel Aziz Street, opposite Khalidiyah Mall, www.af-aboudabi.net (02 666 6232).
National Library
The city’s biggest library offers free membership (a refundable Dhs400 deposit aside) and you can keep hold of your selections for 15 days at a time.
Open Sun-Thu 8am-10pm; Fri 5pm-8pm; Sat 9am-1pm, 5pm-8pm. 33rd Street, between Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street and Airport Road (02 657 6034).
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Library
A new facility located on the third floor of the mosque’s northern minaret, offering a broad range of literature on Arabian and Islamic architecture, arts and sciences.
Open Sun-Wed 8am-8pm; Thu 8pm-4pm. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Airport Road.
The Club
You’ll need to be a member of the swanky members club it’s part of to gain access, but with 16,000 titles on the shelves, including books and DVDs, it’s well worth looking into.
Open Sun-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri-Sat 10am-7pm. Mina Al Saadiyat, www.the-club.com (02 673 1111).
Music
Abu Dhabi Choral Group
An amateur community choir, who also put on regular musical theatre performances. For those keen to get involved, audition is required.
Open Tuesday 7.30pm. The British School, Al Khubeirah, www.abudhabichoralgroup.com (050 442 0029).
Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation
Presents concerts, exhibitions, workshops and lectures by leading international musicians and artists.
Kanoo Group Building, Najda Street, Al Markaziyah, www.admaf.org (02 651 0300).
Amadeus Music Institute
Owned and managed by a family of musicians, this school offers interactive group lessons for kids and one-on-one tuition for all ages.
Open Sun-Thu 9am-9pm; Sat 8.30am-9pm. 1st Floor in Hamdan Centre, Hamdan Street (050 4156934).
House of Oud
Personal tuition in the art of the oud, a traditional, lute-esque Arabic stringed instrument.
Costs Dhs1,000 per month, for three one-hour lessons a week. Open Sat-Wed 10am-3pm, 4pm-10pm (02 641 5699).
International Music Institute
Offers tuition in guitar, piano and drums, priced at Dhs90 for 30 minutes, Dhs130 for 45 minutes or Dhs170 for an hour.
Open daily 9am-noon, 3pm-8.30pm. Bin Halyal building, Zayed the 1st Street, Al Khalidiyah (02 621 1949).
Photography
Gulf Photo
Plus Online photography community which holds regular courses and workshops (in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi) for photographers of all levels, from total beginners to budding David Baileys.
Open Sun-Thu 10am-4pm. Sufouh Road, Dubai, www.gulfphotoplus.com (04 360 2365).
Keylite Studios
Professional studio with an infinity-cove, that runs photography workshops for all levels of interest.
Professionals Building Block A, Najda Street, www.jayalonzophotoworkshop.com (050 908 7085).
