NYUAD’s al Mawrid Center makes rare Arab art collections accessible worldwide with a major digital release
NYU Abu Dhabi is making it easier than ever to dive into the rich history of Arab art.
The al Mawrid Arab Center for the Study of Art has just released five digitised collections, giving scholars, artists, and art lovers access to over 45,000 rare documents, photographs, and archival materials – all available online for free.
The Arab Art Archive initiative, part of NYU Libraries’ archival collections portal, brings together materials from some of the region’s most influential artists, including Rafa Nasiri, May Muzaffar, Ahmad Nawash, Hanaa Malallah, Salah Taher and Mahmoud Hammad.
Think exhibition catalogues, personal writings, press clippings, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into iconic art movements – the kind of material that was previously out of reach for many researchers.
This massive effort isn’t just about preservation – it’s about storytelling.
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By making these archives accessible, the Center is ensuring that the narratives of Arab artists are told, studied, and celebrated globally. And they’re just getting started – six more collections are currently undergoing digitisation.
The archive is also fuelling new conversations in classrooms and institutions across the UAE, shaping courses in art history, curation, and cultural preservation.
With a research library, an online platform, and a growing collection of translated artist memoirs, the Center is bridging the past with the future – one digital archive at a time.
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