Fifty of art world's most prominent cultural leaders and thinkers address second Global Art Forum in Dubai

With speakers ranging from Glenn Lowry, Director, Museum of Modern Art, New York City, to British-based artist Anish Kapoor and an array of artists and cultural contributors from around the world, will present their visions and debate ideas during the five-day event set to foster links between the Middle East and the wider global arts community through candid debate on the evolving business of art.

'A critical theme running through Global Art Forum: 2 is the development of art initiatives through partnerships with businesses and private individuals. The Forum will examine public support for the arts, corporate and private collecting and art patronage from a regional and international perspective,' said John Martin, Fair Director, Art Dubai.

'A perfect example of this type of collaboration is The Financial Times' ('FT') support of the Global Art Forum. This agreement forms part of the FT's on-going commitment to covering the business and cultural life of Dubai and the wider Middle East', he added.

The first two days of Global Art Forum: 2 will be hosted at the DIFC and will focus on Art Patronage in the Business Age. This part of the Forum will feature leading thinkers from the international art and business communities and will address topics such as: Building a Corporate Collection, Working with Corporations, Private Passion and Cultural Philanthropy and Personal Commitments to Building Cultural Cities. Soichiro Fukutake, founder of the Naoshima Fukutake Museum Foundation and President of Benesse Corporation, will present the keynote address.

On Wednesday 19 March, the Global Art Forum moves to the Madinat Arena where the conversations will consider public art projects through interviews with some of the most influential artists working today: Daniel Buren, France; Ai Wei Wei, China; and Tony Cragg, UK. A special interview will be conducted by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Director of International Programs at the Serpentine Gallery London, with Iranian artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian. An additional panel discussing art's role in political and social transformations will include Suha Shoman, Director, Darat al Funun, Amman; Salima Hashmi, Curator of Desperately Seeking Paradise; and curator and artistic director of the Sharjah Biennial, Jack Persekian, among others.

In collaboration with the FIAC in Paris, the Global Art Forum will host Paris /Dubai, which will unite artists and intellectuals from the Middle East living in Paris through the topic of art in transition. Curator and former director of Documenta 10, Catherine David will host this panel.

Glenn Lowry, Director Museum of Modern Art, New York City, will give a keynote address about the personal initiatives behind MoMA, after which there will be a series of presentations on the most important new institutions and projects underway the region.

Art Dubai is held under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai.