Happy Creative Careering!
Opportunities
is where to look for listings for jobs, internships, traineeships, volunteering and residencies. Links will take you to application forms and details of any particular requirements.
Mentorship
offers the chance to interact with a range of experts in the field and have your questions answered. Check in to learn about the varied career paths these leaders in the UAE creative scene have had, and find out their tips for succeeding in the industry.
Resources
is the place for you to conduct your research. Read our short guides to different creative roles or tune in to recordings of sessions and workshops from CCD.
Directory
gives the lowdown on the UAE's leading cultural organisations, so you can learn more about the places to visit and set your sights on.
For full programme descriptions click here
Instagram Surgery
Led by Morvarid Tayyeb (Researcher, The Institute for Emerging Art) and Salma Shaheem (Founder, The Institute for Emerging Art)
All Day
Lobby
One-to-One Sessions
Career Surgery
Led by Jolaine Frizzell (Founder, Ivy Advisory)
All Day
Lobby
One-to-One Sessions
Crit Sessions
Hosted by Art Jameel’s Youth Assembly, led by Andres Ugartechea (The Assembly 25/26)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Jameel Library
Group Sessions
Portfolio Reviews
Hosted by New York University Abu Dhabi
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
How to Create a Story When you Haven’t Got an Idea
Hosted by Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, led by Genette Harrison (Associate Programme Leader, Sharjah Performing Arts Academy) and Leanne Rimmer (Lead Tutor)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sahaab
Workshop
Procrastination and the Uncertainty of Creative Projects
Led by Lisa Ball Lechgar (Arts Management Specialist), Vijaya Chikarmane (Founding Editor, Writing Women), Kath Dizon (Music Artist/Producer/ Halo Halo Experiment), Carlos Paez Gonzales (Interdisciplinary Theater Artist), moderated by Farida El Hady (University Student, The American University of Sharjah)
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Project Space
Talk
CV Reviews
Hosted by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Portfolio Reviews
Hosted by American University in Dubai
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Speedy Interviews
Hosted by Vinyl Souk
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Lobby
One-to-One Sessions
Behind the Scenes Tours
Hosted by Art Jameel, led by Alex Wachira King’ori (Technology Coordinator), Naseef Ismail (Logistics and Administration Coordinator) and Nabeeha Sajjad (Communications Assistant)
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Welcome Desk
Tour
Portfolio Reviews
Hosted by New York University Abu Dhabi (MFA Art and Design)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Speedy Interviews
Hosted by Bayt Al Mamzar
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lobby
One-to-One Sessions
Manic Mundane
A hybrid sound performance that moves between electronic composition and acoustic expression.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Chihuahuan Garden
Performance
Creative Problem Solving Under Pressure
Hosted by Karama Arts Club, led by Clare Napper (Founder, Highlife Posters) and David Kirkland (Owner and Creative Director, Knowcreative.com)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Sahaab
Workshop
Crit Sessions
Hosted by Art Jameel’s Youth Assembly, led by Dina Barqawi (The Assembly 25/26)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Jameel Library
Group Sessions
CV Reviews
Hosted by Art Jameel
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Speedy Interviews
Hosted by American University of Sharjah
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
One-to-One Sessions
Portfolio Reviews
Hosted by Global Studies University (MA and Ph.D. Programmes)
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Visual Dissecting
Led by Rashid Almehiri (Museum Educator, Louvre Abu Dhabi) and Shamma Khoory (Learning and Engagement Assistant, Art Jameel)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Colonnade
Workshop
Rethinking Creative Futures
Hosted by Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, led by Ahmed Emad (Public Programme Specialist), Hessa Alketbi (Public Programme Graduate Trainee) and Wadeema Alhammadi (Associate Registrar)
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Project Space
Town Hall
CV Reviews
Hosted by National Pavilion UAE - La Biennale di Venezia
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Not Sure, But Doing It Anyway: How to make art when you don't know what you want to say
Led by Dinika Govender (Multidisciplinary Artist)
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Sahaab
Workshop
Voices of HIVE: Amplifying Voices in the Creative Ecosystem: Practice, Presentation and Collaboration
Led by Cyrus Zorkot (Head of Creative, THAT Concept Store)
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Socotra Garden
Roundtable Discussions
CV Reviews
Hosted by Art Jameel
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Portfolio Reviews
Hosted by Gulf Photo Plus (Photography and Media)
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Speedy Interviews
Hosted by Abu Dhabi Music and Art Foundation
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Lobby
One-to-One Sessions
Senior Wind Ensemble
Hosted by Centre for Musical Arts
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Chihuahuan Garden
Performance
Listening In: The Music Ecosystem in the UAE
Led by Reuben Edenojie (Musician, The Tasty Biscuits), Raghd Coussa (Curator, L316 Records), X Alvarez, (Artist, Co-Founder, WYWY, Halo Halo Experiment), Faizal Razak (Founder and Creative Director, The Karak) moderated by Hasan Hujairi (Music Department Manager, Sharjah Art Foundation, Artist, Composer, Independent Researcher)
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Project Space
Panel Talk
Foley for Beginners
Led by Joseph Najm (Music Composer)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sahaab
Workshop
Creative Ego vs Creative Ecosystem: Co-creation and the Sustainability of Literature
Hosted by Emirates Literature Foundation, led by Dania Droubi (Chief Operating Officer)
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Project Space
Town Hall
Voices of HIVE: Amplifying Regional Voices: Collecting, Curating and Presenting Contemporary Art
Led by Paz Monge (Head of Exhibitions and Curational at Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi & Curational Affairs at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Socotra Garden
Roundtable Discussions
Crit Sessions
Hosted by Art Jameel’s Youth Assembly, led by Sanjushrree Subash (Peer Curator, The Assembly 25/26)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Jameel Library
Group Sessions
CV Reviews
Hosted by American University in Dubai
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Portfolio Reviews
Hosted by Tashkeel (Fine Art)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
Behind-the-Scenes Collection Tour
Hosted by Art Jameel, led by Ichraq Bouzidi (Collections Manager) and Daniya Jawaad (Collections Assistant)
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM
Welcome Desk
Tour
The Tasty Biscuits with special guest Ananya Murali
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Roof Terrace
Performance
Portfolio Reviews
Hosted by Maraya Art Centre (Fine Art)
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Jameel Library
One-to-One Sessions
What Is New
Newsletter
Mohamed Aljhouri
Musician, Ministry of Culture UAE
Mohamed Aljhouri has played the piano since 1999, beginning his formal training at the International Music Institute, where he studied from 1999 to 2006. Later, from 2010 to 2016, he honed his skills under the guidance of Professor Martin Hrsel. In 2012, he was honoured to win both the Chopin Piano Competition in the UAE and the prestigious Franz Liszt Grand Prize. His repertoire focuses primarily on Beethoven sonatas, and he has had the privilege of performing in numerous concerts across the United Arab Emirates and internationally.
Q&A
Q: What is the most important next step for the UAE creative industry as a whole?
Q: What other place in the world should the UAE be looking to for inspiration?
Q: Is there one thing you would do differently if you could start your professional career again?
To speak to more people about the media part of the business, because it's very important for any artist.
Q: Most underappreciated role in the creative sector?
Q: Any tips for submitting an application or succeeding in an interview?
Q: Why is the creative field in the UAE exciting at the moment?
Q: Essential book to read / movie to watch / artist to follow today.
Q: Most inspiring moment in your career, or person you have worked with?
Q: What was your first ever job?
Q: Did you go to university, and if so what did you study?
Q: When did you know that working in the creative sector was going to be the right fit for you?