العربية
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

Happening Now

Newsletter

    Lisa Ball-Lechgar

    Head of Programmes, M_39

    For 25 years, Lisa Ball-Lechgar has worked in Morocco, Lebanon, Bahrain and UAE. The University of Glasgow MA graduate and Fellow sits on the University of Sharjah’s College of Fine Art & Design Advisory Panel and previously the National Pavilion UAE Venice Biennale Art Selection Committee, and the UAE Ministry of Culture National Grants Scheme.

    Before leaving the UK, Lisa was Head of Information & Research at Arts & Business UK and General Secretary of Comité Européen pour le Rapprochement de l'Economie et de la Culture, where she advised businesses and governments on private sector partnerships with culture. Having been an Editor and Cultural Consultant in Beirut, Lisa moved to the UAE in 2005, as the first F/T Editor of Canvas. From 2009, she worked on strategy, programming, publishing and partnerships at ADMAF and Abu Dhabi Festival; launching the first arts management programme for Emiratis, a nationwide grants scheme, and The Christo & Jeanne-Claude Award. Between 2017-2024, as Deputy Director of Tashkeel, she built its visual art & design programmes including residencies, awards and its presence at Art Dubai and Dubai Design Week. Today she is Head of Programmes for M_39, an exciting new centre for creative and cultural entrepreneurs in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi.

    The editor and co-author of several contemporary art books, she has developed over 50 exhibitions of UAE art and delivered cultural management training in Europe, Asia, USA, MENA and Africa. Lisa has moderated talks for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Dubai Culture, Abu Dhabi Festival, Art Dubai and the World Bank. She spoke at the 76th United Nations General Assembly and the 2021 World Conference of the Creative Economy.

    Q&A

    Q: Most important next step for the UAE creative industry as a whole?

    The next step for the creative industry is recognition by its neighbours in the economy and in society of its value to driving innovation, strengthening the competitive edge and building a workforce that can adapt, manoeuvre and embrace the future.

    Q: What other place in the world should the UAE be looking to for inspiration?

    The UAE is in a great position to learn from the lessons of others and adapt successful strategies that are relevant to them: Countries such as Morocco with its strong craft roots, South Africa with its ambitious and creative youth, the Netherlands with its appetite for experimentation and engagement, and Singapore with its multicultural ambition and innovative spirit.

    Q: Most surprising success story that has come out of the UAE?

    There are so many! I’m in awe of Ashay Bhave who developed Thaely, an eco-friendly sneaker brand while still at school in the UAE. I’m also impressed with Nora Zeid, an incredibly talented and focused illustrator and visual artist who is picking up commissions from Google to Adidas. Then there is Asateer – born in a Ras Al Khaimah family oyster farm, Mohamed Al Suwaidi is evolving Emirati product design by pursuing the contemporary while paying homage to the past.

    Q: Any tips for submitting an application or succeeding in an interview?

    Do your research! Let them know you understand them in your cover letter. Tailor your CV to resonate both in tone and content what they are looking for.

    Q: Why is the creative field in the UAE exciting at the moment?

    As countries grow, populations settle and economies diversify, the creative sector embeds and flourishes, transcending culture and commerce as well as public, private and social spheres. At the moment we are seeing a deepening of creative disciplines and a rising appreciation and understanding of the role creativity plays across all our lives.

    Q: Most inspiring moment in your career, or person you have worked with?

    I have been lucky to work with many people who are inspirational in different ways; those who have fought against prejudice and poverty; those who have asked ‘What if?’ and, undeterred, explored the possibilities; and those who possessed the singular determination, focus, self-discipline and patience to strengthen their gifts and realise their ambitions. I always go back to my first drama teacher who said to me when I was 13, “Whatever you do, never let cynicism stand in your way.”

    Q: What was your first ever job?

    My first job was General Manager of the first International Festival of University Theatre in Scotland, which I founded with the support of Sean Connery. I knew I was not going to get a job immediately, so it was better to create a job opportunity myself! I raised the funds and support through sheer determination and never taking no for an answer!

    Q: Did you go to university, and if so what did you study?

    I went to drama school and then university where I obtained a MA(Hons) in Theatre & English. I made sure to attend all lectures, tutorials and submit assignments on time but it was the extra-curricular opportunities that really helped me develop my management skills and help strengthen my employability.