A keen collector of Contemporary art, Ali Khadra began his career in the hospitality industry before turning his passion for art into a profession.
 
In 2004 he founded the boutique publishing house Mixed Media Publishing and launched its flagship title, Canvas. As the premier magazine for art and culture from the Middle East and Arab world, Canvas has received international acclaim and has established itself as a catalyst on the global art scene. Khadra has expanded the business to include contract publishing, Canvas Folios, art and luxury consultancy, Canvas Education and a creative art marketing agency. Furthermore, Khadra has participated in numerous international conferences and panels on the topic of Middle Eastern art. Khadra has recently launched Sorbet magazine, a unique themed quarterly that will focus on the inherent relationship between art and affluence.
 
A regional consultant for Christie’s, Khadra is also a patron of the Tate Modern and serves on the committees of several organizations, including the Art Dubai board of patrons, Prix Pictet, the V&A’s Jameel Prize, Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art, the Abraaj Capital Art Prize, FotoFest International Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art, and Chairman of the Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize 2011.
 
Khadra is an active advocate of philanthropy, which he also applies on the corporate level through Canvas Group’s activities.