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

    Jolaine Frizzell

    Founder and Managing Director, Ivy Advisory

    Before founding Ivy Advisory, Jolaine was Director at The Institute for Emerging Art, where she spearheaded initiatives supporting early-career artists in honing their craft across the UAE, the UK, and beyond. With a proven track record of developing strategic partnerships and executing creative projects, Jolaine has curated external exhibitions at prestigious venues such as The Brunei Gallery, Maraya Art Centre, Aisha Alabbar Gallery, among others.

    With over 12 years of experience as a gallery director in Zurich, London, and Dubai, Jolaine is a seasoned expert in the commercial art sector. Holding an MA in Art History from the University of Western Ontario (2004) and a BFA in Photography (2001) and a BA in Art History (2000) from the University of Calgary, Jolaine identifies a critical gap in the local art ecosystem, particularly in bridging the divide between regional artists and gallery representation.

    With Ivy Advisory, she aims to foster knowledge partnerships, marketing development, and creative networking within a bespoke learning environment to empower talented artists outside the traditional commercial gallery model.

    Q&A

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

    The UAE creative industry must continue to push forward. For artists, it's crucial to keep creating and evolving your practice. Explore what's happening both locally and internationally. Engage in exhibitions and residencies and immerse yourself in the ecosystem. The creative industry as a whole should better leverage the diverse opportunities available throughout the Emirates.

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

    Inspiration can be found everywhere and anywhere. Travelling abroad offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on local standards and consider what changes can be introduced into this ecosystem.

    Q: Favourite event in the UAE cultural calendar.

    Art Dubai Week, when the world comes to Dubai. It's a time for reuniting with artists and friends and experiencing the best shows of the season.

    Q: Is there one thing you would do differently if you could start your professional career again?

    I would focus on studying the legal aspects of an artist’s practice, particularly to better understand intellectual property, contracts, standard practices, and artists' rights.

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

    Have someone review your statement and provide feedback. A second pair of eyes is invaluable for helping you clearly articulate your thoughts on the page.

    Q: Essential book to read / movie to watch / artist to follow today.

    I love Ziad and Talal Najjar. Their exhibition at NYU’s project space curated by Tala Nasser in 2023 was the start of something new, and I’m eagerly watching them develop.

    Q: What was your first ever job?

    I worked at a video store.

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

    I started in business but then switched to art history. I did my BA in Art History, a BFA in Studio Art (Photography), and my MA in Art History, focusing my thesis on a Canadian artist and Lacan.