Dubai:The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has announced the details of the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai), scheduled to take place from November 6 to 15, 2026. The event will operate under the theme 'ELYAH Constellating Place, Data and Identity'.
According to Emirates News Agency, the symposium aims to explore the intersection of art, science, and technology, aligning with Dubai Culture's Digital Arts Roadmap. This initiative seeks to foster creative talent, encourage experimentation, and advance the digital and emerging arts sector, reinforcing Dubai's status as a global cultural leader and innovator.
ISEA2026 Dubai will feature a hybrid format, combining in-person artistic events at multiple venues throughout Dubai with an online academic program. This setup will allow artists, researchers, and practitioners worldwide to share ideas and expertise. The artistic program has already received over 1,000 submissions, with more than 100 artworks shortlisted, while the academic segment has shortlisted over 150 submissions.
The symposium's agenda will include over 140 academic papers, more than 40 artist talks, over 15 workshops, and numerous panel discussions, Eco Labs, and special-track exhibitions. The academic program will offer keynote addresses, paper presentations, and panels, with the New Media Art Summit focusing on the evolution of artistic practices through digital networks, interactive media, and artificial intelligence.
Dubai's artistic program will engage audiences with digital and emerging art through exhibitions and performances at various locations, including the Al Safa Art and Design Library, Etihad Museum, and Foundry Gallery, among others. A special track, Evolving Calligraphy, Letter Art, Typography, will explore the transformation of letterforms and calligraphic traditions through digital media.
Maitha Ali Al Blooshi, Director of the Emerging Arts Department at Dubai Culture, highlighted the symposium’s role in enhancing Dubai's cultural presence and fostering innovation. She emphasized the event's potential for local talent to learn and connect with international networks, and its support for the growth of the digital arts sector through collaboration.
The theme 'ELYAH Constellating Place, Data and Identity' connects four key academic tracks, including Celestial Dialogues, Charting Constellations, Eco-Tech Futures, and Starlinked Worlds, each examining different intersections of art, technology, and cultural experiences.