The Rise of the Middle Eastern Art Market Since 2006

The rise of the Middle Eastern art market since 2006 was caused by several factors including the establishment of the global auction houses in the region in 2006, government support for the arts, especially those of the Arabian Gulf, and the increased prominence of gallery scenes throughout the region. This thesis will demonstrate several ways in which these factors have contributed to the rise of the Middle Eastern market, and will show why 2006 was the start of this boom. Through thorough data analysis this thesis provides solid reasoning for the boom.