Beyond the Frame: Art be a Part Gala 2025 (TAG25)

Raises AED 2.8 MILLION to Empower Children of Determination

Dubai’s cultural scene came alive with one of its most inspiring philanthropic evenings as The Art be a Part Gala 2025 returned in 2025, exploring the theme “Beyond the Frame: Art and the Future of Inclusion.” Hosted by Medha Nanda of Art be a Part and brought to life in partnership with Ellington Properties as the title sponsor, alongside supporting sponsors, TAG25 unfolded within the striking halls of the Museum of the Future. The evening gathered visionaries from the worlds of art, design, and philanthropy, creating a vibrant celebration of creativity, generosity, and the power of inclusion that left a lasting impression on all who attended.

TAG25 reached its peak with a thrilling charity auction, led by the brilliant Tom Urquhart, bringing together a remarkable community of artists, collectors, and supporters united by a shared purpose. Artworks from both renowned and emerging talents – including eL Seed, Stefania Nazzal, Alia Lootah, Lorenzo Quinn, and many other exceptional artists – took center stage, each piece carrying not just artistic vision but a powerful story of creativity and compassion. As collectors and buyers placed their bids, their participation transformed these works into tangible impact.

The highlight of the evening came when Domingo Zapata’s vibrant and emotionally charged artwork ignited a bidding frenzy, ultimately selling for an extraordinary AED 1 million – the highest bid of the night. The record-breaking moment drew cheers and applause from the audience, electrifying the atmosphere and underscoring the generosity and passion that defined the night. It was a powerful testament to the unifying spirit of art and philanthropy.

Each contribution directly supported Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organizationand UNICEF, helping to expand access to education, foster inclusion, and transform the lives of children around the world – proving that art can truly change lives.

The evening came alive with unforgettable energy with the captivating performance of Parson James, whose music set the perfect tone for a night of celebration, creativity, and generosity. Guests were swept up in a vibrant tapestry of live performances and musical moments that seamlessly complemented the excitement of the exhibition and auction, turning the night into an experience that was both exhilarating and deeply meaningful.

Following a series of successful editions, Art be a Part continues to be one of Dubai’s most anticipated philanthropic platforms, demonstrating how art and purpose converge to create real impact for communities worldwide.

Auction Artists & Highlights:

eL Seed: Locke III | Sold for 175,000 AED
Paresh Maity: A Magical Morning | Sold for 420,000 AED
Alia Lootah: Paper Folds | Sold for 41,000 AED
Lorenzo Quinn: I Give you My Heart III | Sold for 320,000 AED
Stefania Nazzal: The Stars We See |Sold for 95,000 AED
Tina Gavasheli: Wave of Life | Sold for 70,000 AED

Notable Guests:

Sanjeev Nanda
H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg
Jwana Karim
Majid Jafar
Mary Habib
Sima Ved
Namrata Shroff
Barkha Shewakramani
Hala Khayat

Quotes

“This year’s Art be a Part Gala 2025 was a truly inspiring celebration of creativity and community,” said Medha Nanda, Founder of Art be a Part. “Beyond the Frame came to life beautifully – every artwork, every performance, and every guest contributed to a night that not only celebrated art, but also made a real impact in supporting children’s education and inclusion. It was a testament to what can be achieved when art and purpose come together.”

Ellington Properties Co-Founder, Joseph Thomas: Art be a Part Gala 2025 title sponsor, commented: “The Art be a Part Gala 2025 exemplifies how creativity and philanthropy can come together to create meaningful impact. We are proud to support this incredible initiative that brings the community together to make a tangible difference in the lives of children worldwide.”

H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares, said: “The Art be a Part Gala reaffirms the art community’s unique ability to inspire creativity while also mobilizing support for transformative change. The initiative exemplifies how artistic engagement can be turned into a powerful tool to advance inclusive development for children with special needs, ensuring they have access to equal opportunities, tailored support systems, and the dignity of full participation in society. A special thank you to Medha Nanda for her vision, ambition, and bold commitment to a sector of society that has long been overlooked. We are also deeply grateful to the artists, partners, and supporters who are helping turn creativity into meaningful progress.”

Chief of UNICEF India (Nutrition), Arjan de Wagt added “We are incredibly grateful to Art be a Part and all the participating artists, sponsors, and collectors for their generous support. This evening is a celebration of how creativity can be harnessed to transform the lives of children. The funds raised will directly contribute to ensuring inclusive education and opportunities for children with special needs, helping them realise their full potential.”

Raised Funds

Thanks to the generous support of Art be a Part (AbaP) initiative, funds raised have been instrumental in creating meaningful opportunities for frontline workers and teachers, empowering them to engage more effectively with marginalized children. These efforts have also strengthened education systems, ensuring equitable access to quality learning and enabling children to develop essential school readiness, literacy, and numeracy skills that form the foundation for lifelong learning.

Through these initiatives, significant progress has been made in the early identification of disabilities, the standardization of assessment procedures, and the enhancement of collaboration between the education, health, and social justice sectors. As a result, there has been a notable increase in enrolment, alongside the successful implementation of Home-Based Education programmes for children with severe disabilities. Parents and caregivers are also being trained and sensitized to provide continuous support within the home environment.

A key milestone in advancing inclusive education has been the development of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for resource rooms, supported by UNICEF. This SOP defines quality standards for infrastructure, child assessment, academic and therapeutic interventions, and multi-stakeholder coordination – ensuring a consistent, holistic, and effective approach to inclusive learning across schools.

SpArk: SpArK focuses on integrating and introducing children with special needs into government schools. In villages across India, there is lack of awareness about the needs of these vulnerable children and how to support them. So, it is vital to educate communities and families about these needs and the possibility of integrating their children into schools. Spark utilises an art and play-based learning approach that is now being adopted by the government in mainstream schools. There is a wide range of needs, allowing children to attend school and providing opportunities for their parents to participate twice a week in learning how to engage their children.

UNICEF India: https://www.unicef.org/india/medha-nanda-art-be-part