The Cultivist exists at the intersection of art and travel, so we have naturally prepared eventful trips across the globe to cities that epitomize art-led travel. Out of the five remaining trips planned for 2023, we wanted to highlight three destinations: UAE, Barcelona and Aspen. These trips will include stops at art fairs, biennials, historical and cultural sites, museums, private collections and other art-centred events. 

UAE

Emerging as a world-famous location, the UAE holds a high spot on many people's list of places to visit for the Burj Khalifa, Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, preserved desert and warm weather. We are going for these reasons and also for the significant art destinations the country has added recently.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi belongs to that category, boasting what has to be one of the world's most impressive roofs, became the Arabian Peninsula's largest museum after opening in 2017. The Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, a contemporary arts institution founded in 2018, and the Wahat Al Karama (Oasis of Dignity) memorial, unveiled in 2016, are two more of their recent additions.

Finally, the Sharjah Biennial, started in 1993 and now on its 15th edition, has a bit more history than some of our other art-related stops. The 2023 Sharjah Biennial will span 16 venues across Sharjah and feature 150 artists from over 70 countries.

BARCELONA

Barcelona is a European culture capital in need of no introduction. The coastal Catalan city in Northeast Spain is home to the Picasso museum, Fundació Joan Miro, and many important private collections of Spanish Art. The city's architectural accomplishments like La Sagrada Familia Basilica and Casa Batlló, both designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, stand equal to the copious collections of visual art.

With five visits to studios of contemporary artists, a drive to the Dali museum and a private tour of the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, we have a packed itinerary of events to maximize our trip to Barcelona.

ASPEN

While the Coloradan city is known as a Ski Town, pristine art organisations and institutions reside in the mountain town. Our Aspen art trip is filled with majestic views of both artistic and natural variety.

We will traverse Colorado’s premier stretch of mountains during a busy three days with visits to the Anderson Ranch, Red Mountain Collection and the Art Barn. At the Aspen Art Museum, we will host a Cultivist exclusive event consisting of a curator-led private tour of the exhibitions, followed by a toast on the roof during sunset.

The Cultivist's Art Trips are available to our Club-level members. Click here to find out more about our membership offerings.

-Words by Gideon Fortune