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
Entisar AlObeidli
Curator, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
Entisar AlObeidli is a museum curator specialising in history, science, and art. With over two decades of experience, she currently holds the position of curator at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, where she manages the collection of artefacts from the Islamic world. Entisar earned her Master’s degree in Conservation Management on Culture Heritage from the University of Sharjah and is currently pursuing her PhD in Philosophy in History and Islamic Civilization at the University of Sharjah.
Throughout her career, Entisar has curated several landmark exhibitions, such as the "Ziena Splendor of the Indian Courts" exhibition in cooperation with the Dar al Athar Al Islamiyyah. (2023), “Drop by Drop, Life Falls from the Sky. Water, Islam, and Art" in cooperation with the Fondazione Torino Musei (2021), and “Crossroads: Cultural Exchange between the Islamic Civilization, Europe, and Beyond” collaborated with the Islamic Art Museum Berlin (2018) and others.
Her work goes beyond curation; she had an article published in 2023, “Enhancing the Role of Modern Technologies in the Museum Display for Children,” A case study of the Abu Bakr Gallery, published in Al Adab Journal. She is passionate about education and public engagement. She gives talks for both academic and general audiences, from the University of Sharjah and museums, aiming to make history accessible and engaging for all. She featured in the Museums in the Middle East Journal.
Q&A
Q: Favourite event in the UAE cultural calendar?
Q: Is there one thing you would do differently if you could start your professional career again?
Q: Why is the creative field in the UAE exciting at the moment?
Q: Most inspiring moment in your career, or person you have worked with?
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?
