Resources

Talk: Teaching Creative Futures: Education and the Evolving Arts Landscape

Led by EY Lucy Jung (Educator and Curriculum Designer)This reflective workshop for educators explores hands-on strategies to engage students with contemporary art and foster curiosity, self-awareness, adaptability, and critical thinking. Participants will also learn to design lessons and activities that build students’ creative skills, confidence, and readiness for future careers through connections with contemporary art.

Talk: Creative Ego vs Creative Ecosystem: Co-creation and the Sustainability of Literature

Hosted by Emirates Literature Foundation, led by Dania Droubi (Chief Operating Officer) A conversation-driven session exploring how co-creation underpins the long-term sustainability of literature across languages and contexts. Drawing on examples of collaboration between writers, translators, educators, publishers and readers, the town hall considers how shared ownership and dialogue help texts evolve, circulate and stay relevant over time.

Talk: 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/ Co-Founder, Halo-Halo Experiment ), Carlos Paez Gonzales (Interdisciplinary Theater Artist), moderated by Farida El Hady (University Student, The American University of Sharjah)A group of creative practitioners and cultural workers reflect on how ideas evolve through uncertainty. The discussion explores procrastination as a space of negotiation, care and possibility. ...

Performance: Senior Wind Ensemble by Centre for Musical Arts

Tune in to young musicians, members of Dubai’s woodwand, brass and percussion community. The ensemble has prepared a special piece inspired by Jameel’s exhibiting artist Bady Dalloul, featuring music influenced by artwork The Age of Empires, exploring eastern soundscapes and regional themes.

Talk: Humanising Artificial Intelligence with Hani Asfour

Hosted by Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, Led by Hani Asfour (Vice President of The workshop argues that the age of AI is also the age of design, where artists, designers and storytellers play a crucial role in making technologies legible, ethical and humane. Participants consider how they might “direct” AI systems through critical thinking, visualisation and narrative and how to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry by treating AI as a medium to be designed rather than a threat to be f...

Talk: Making it Work | On Sustaining a Creative Practice

Led by Dana Naidu (Musician), Pauline Doctolero (Multimedia Designer), Haniya Khalid (Founding Editor, Half-Light Magazine) Moderated by: Kesang Chuki (Artist and Architect)This session opens up an honest discussion on the financial and professional realities of working in the creative industry. From artist fees and funding applications to juggling multiple roles, the panel shares practical insights on sustaining a creative career without losing sight of the work itself.

Performance: AlMultaqa Chamber Orchestra

An outdoor performance drawing from Al Multaqa’s dynamic blend of movement, rhythm and spoken presence. Set against the open garden, the performance invites audiences into an energising exploration of community, sound and embodied storytelling.

Embark on a cultural journey through the UAE

Explore the platform https://ich.ae aimed at learners, educators and all who are curious to discover the elements that make the UAE unique.

Nafis creative platform

The Ministry of Culture announced a partnership with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) to train and employ UAE nationals in the cultural and creative industries. Companies working with the Ministry of Culture can register on the platform to provide training and employment opportunities for nationals in private companies operating in the cultural and creative sector. It aims to employ 500 annually over three years. We encourage you to visit the platform https://nafis.gov.ae and find out all ...

So You Want to Work in the Arts?

There are so many decisions to make, especially for those soon to leave school, or to recent graduates in the creative arts. Is that you? Perhaps you are an artist, but want to spend some time working for an art organisation. What types of arts organisations are there out there? One factor to consider is the size and style of organisation that would suit you. The UAE has everything from ministerial departments with hundreds of employees, to galleries with two or three permanent members of staff. Do you like...

Artistic Practices: From School Years to a Professional Career, 2022

An artists' talk that took place at Creative Careers Day at Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai in 2022 with locally based artists and creatives in which they spoke about their journeys to artistic success, focussing on how they developed their practices, through often unexpected career twists and turns. Featuring CCD Online UAE mentor Jolaine Frizzell and artists Nasser Alzayani, Moza Almatrooshi and Rand Abdul Jabbar.Watch the talk by clicking here

Meet the Professionals

Talks with industry experts from leading arts and creative organisations in the UAE. Professionals share their personal journeys from high school years to now and highlight moments that paved the way for a successful career in the arts, allowing you to discover range of skills and the multitude of roles that play a vital role in creative industries and learn how you can contribute to the flourishing ecosystem of the artsThis talks includes Bill Bragin (Executive Artistic Director, The Arts Center at New Yor...

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Working in the Creative Industry

This talk delves into the diverse and indispensable roles that form the backbone of the arts ecosystem. Beyond creators, artists, curators, and designers, industry experts shed light on the equally crucial career trajectories that support and nurture the arts. The talk also covers policy-making, cultural diplomacy and the fostering of creative thought and programmes. Moderated by CCD Online mentor Laila Binbrek. Watch the talk by clicking here

Crafting Your Creative Journey

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Youth UAE, this panel discussion explored the fascinating journeys of creatives and art professionals who were able to carve sustainable and successful careers in the field of art and culture. It explored what influenced their choices to pursue their studies and professional training in creative and artistic fields; the challenges and hurdles they faced and overcame, particularly when well-intended parents favour more conventional career paths; and finally, the boundle...

Discover the Roles of Public Art

Artist Abdulla Buhijji from Theories of Imagination (TOFI) uncovers the role of public art and his artistic practice TOFI. Offering a rich understanding of how art interacts and shapes public spaces, Buhijji also delves into the conceptual and practical aspects of 'I Dreamt of a City Everyone Calls Home' - the large-scale interactive sculptural playground at Jameel Arts Centre.The commission, devised and curated by Art Jameel, is part of Dubai Culture’s new Dubai Public Art Initiative, a multi-year projec...

You Don’t Need Art School!

A discussion with the 421 Arts Campus team sharing personal stories and experiences of how they made a career in the arts without a formal art education. The session provides invaluable insights into the creative industry and aims to encourage young adults to explore alternative career paths and follow their creative instincts.Watch the talk by clicking here

You Can’t Have Art Without…

As the UAE creative ecosystem grows and matures, so do opportunities within it. More and more professionals from parallel fields are joining the creative industry. There are so many ways that skill sets and experience from the fields of business, accounting, law, human resources, the social sciences or languages can be adapted and bring many vital new perspectives to the creative industry. Creative Careers Days: 'you can't have art without...' 2023 Testimonials

Itchy feet and urge to travel?

There is a big wide world out there, and the UAE creative scene has great partnerships with global organisations. Fancy working at the Venice Biennale? Get in touch with the team behind the National Pavilion UAE. Interested in studying abroad, or taking some time away at a residency? There are lots of opportunities that you can find out about here.

Feeling studious?

Want a role in the creative sector but not feeling you have enough of a knowledge base? There are lots of ways of fixing that. The UAE is home to a diverse range of offerings of informal education, short courses, lectures, workshops organised by its many cultural organisations, galleries and museums. For more formal training, the number of courses on offer in universities for tertiary education is rapidly growing, so jump in and sign yourself up.

Change and inspiration

New job titles are being invented every day, especially in the creative sector. Perhaps there is an ideal role for you that you are yet to discover. Do you feel the need for further study? Check out the universities we have in our directory. Need to get some advice from those who really know the deal? Go to our mentorship page and learn from the best.

New to the Creative Sector

Based in the UAE? Start by knocking on those doors! Check out our directory which can give you up-to-date information about the leading art and cultural organisations in the UAE, jump in and find out opening times, ways to get there, when they have a new exhibition opening and their public programming and events schedule. The best way to kickstart your creative journey in the UAE is to experience it first hand. Most exhibitions are free of charge and open to the public, some events you might need to reserve...

A-Z of the Creative Industries

We have all witnessed the spectacular growth of arts and culture in the UAE. That would not be happening if it wasn’t for those working in the cultural and creative sectors – but what does that mean? The creative industries originate in the skills, creativity, and talent which individuals and groups possess and share, ranging from music, the performing arts, crafts, design, VR, film, fashion, heritage, publishing, architecture and beyond. Roles can be found in large, government or private organisations,...

Create 101: a toolkit

Sometimes seen as the icing on the cake, the creative industries are what makes society great. It brings life to communities, motivates, and connects people, encouraging us to have happier, healthier lives, embrace the latest technologies and appreciate our environment. By producing art, documenting history, and offering explanations of why things happen the way they do, the creative industries are at the core of our development as world citizens.

How to make CCD work for you

Do your homework. To make the most of the event, make sure you prepare in advance, check in early and study the programme to maximise your time and make sure you visit all the relevant stands and events. Come with questions and ideas, none can be too small or too big! Read up bios of the people you are keen to meet. Sign up for sessions with our mentors. Check out the resources section here to learn more about past events and the daily programme is live here as well. Packing list: Student ID, business cards...

Form = Function = Form

What ways can careers in the arts intersect with design, architecture, fashion, graphics and interiors? Using cross-disciplinary ideas from design thinking and problem solving approaches brings new possibilities to the creative sector, opening up exciting, fresh avenues of exploration. This is the theme behind the third iteration of Creative Career Days 10-12 October 2024. This edition is dedicated to exploring diverse design careers, where attendees discover the disciplines of design thinking, from collabo...