Antonia leads the Art Jameel teams in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and oversees programmes across the arts, heritage and education. She joined in 2016 with a mandate to develop the Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai, and Hayy: Creative Hub, Jeddah, and institute a new period of radical growth for the organisation. Among other roles, Antonia was previously Director of Art Dubai (2010-2016); Projects Director at Bidoun; and has written extensively on Middle Eastern art and film.
Abhirami oversees Jameel Library's operational systems, supports researchers and visitors, and manages the Special Collections and Archives. She is the curator of the Assembly programme and works with the Learning, Exhibitions and Programming teams to direct youth projects at Jameel Arts Centre. Abhirami specialised in spatial narrative systems, creative research and community engagement. Her research and curatorial practice has been presented at international conferences and the London Design Biennale 2021. Abhirami was awarded the Ford Foundation Grant 2020, the Young Curator Residency for Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival 2022 and the Curatorial Fellowship with Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2022.
Alex has a diverse background in both IT and sound engineering and previously led a development team in Kenya on a campaign for building solutions aligned with sustainable development goals. As the Technology Assistant at Art Jameel, Alex supports the implementation and maintenance of Art Jameel’s IT strategy and needs at Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai and contributes to the successful delivery of programmes and exhibitions by providing innovative IT, tech, and audio-visual solutions and expertise.
Azim’s work focusses on Jameel Library’s collection-building, management and programming. He has an MFA in printmaking from VCUArts, where he also taught printmaking and DIY publishing courses. He is interested in and creates comics, zines and other independent publications. His previous roles included education and outreach coordinator at Tashkeel and adjunct professor as part of a residency at VCUQ.
Brent studied Information Technology and Information Systems at Brigham Young University - Hawaii. He has a passion for assisting people (and artists!) with technology, and also delves into photography and graphic design. He comes to Jameel Arts Centre having pioneered an art prize and other programmes for emerging artists in Oman.
As Jameel Art Centre's Facilities Supervisor, Chris ensures the Centre is well maintained, safe and all equipment and devices are operating properly for the Art Jameel team and visitors. He holds a degree in Electronics Communications Engineering, and prior to Art Jameel, he worked as a systems integrator engineer. When he is not troubleshooting, he is watching science and nature documentaries.
As Collection Research Assistant, Daniya researches collection artists and artworks for Artist’s Files and the Art Jameel Collection Online. Previously part of the Exhibitions team as Research Assistant, Daniya currently supports developing and producing collection-focused exhibitions like Artist’s Rooms in collaboration with artists. She also works closely on the Art Jameel Collection Fellowship and other programming to engage audiences with collection artists and artworks. With a BA in History of Art from the University of Oxford, Daniya is particularly drawn to Mughal-era miniatures and shin-hanga.
Dina is a multidisciplinary designer currently serving as the Graphic Designer at Art Jameel. She is also an alumna of Jameel's Youth Assembly. Her accolades include the Salama Bint Hamdan Emerging Artist Fellowship in 2022 and the Making Marks Digital Artist Residency for the Arab British Council in 2021. Dina has also been a part of the National Pavilions research team for the 2020-2021 Venice Biennale and is a winner of the 2021 Burj Khalifa LED open call.
Passionate about design and retail, Francis collaborates with local, regional, and international creatives and publishers to curate a carefully-sourced collection of unique ideas, exceptional gifts, and books. Overseeing the day-to-day operations of Art Jameel Shop in Jeddah and Dubai, he ensures seamless functionality and excellence in customer experience. With a background in nursing, Francis brings a unique perspective to his role, utilizing his skills in organization, attention to detail, and compassionate customer care to enhance the retail experience.
Giacomo specialises in planning and developing exhibition projects, including touring and cross-institutional shows. His past work in Venice and Dubai has included platforms such as La Biennale, UAE National Pavilion, Galleria Michela Rizzo, and Art Dubai. Interested in the Mediterranean and Arab worlds, his practice seeks to continuously connect with international audiences through creative and cultural management.
As part of the Learning and Research team, Hadeel Al Heeti works as the Learning Manager, developing and delivering interdisciplinary educational programmes for schools, educators and visitors of all ages. Hadeel creates curriculum and activities that challenge and inspire participants to develop more meaningful engagement with the arts through a series of process-based and hands-on experiential methods. Alongside art education, Hadeel is a painter and the founder and designer of HAH ceramics, a hand-built ceramics homeware line.
Hassan is a certified accounting professional bringing over 7 years of industry experience in Financial Management, Budgeting and Financial Reporting and a commitment to providing a variety of financial and analytical review to departments and clients.
With a passion for organization and meticulousness, Hina is the Administration Coordinator at Art Jameel. Bringing extensive experience in coordination across AI, medicine, and the gaming sector, she now applies her expertise to Art Jameel and the arts industry. Hina is dedicated to optimizing workflows and implementing innovative solutions to enhance overall productivity within the institution. Outside of work, Hina has an intense passion for backpacking and spends all her free time traveling and experiencing new cultures. She is also owned by nine cats.
Hisham leads culture, engagement, recruitment and people performance at Art Jameel. Hisham's passion is engaging people and bringing HR's best practices to life. He holds a master's degree in Human Resource Management and was brought up in the UAE.
Jannah Hernandez, started at Art Jameel as an Intern for the Public Programmes and Events department, after which she transitioned to full-time as an Events Assistant. Jannah supports the logistics and administration aspects of events, including exhibition openings, symposiums, and community festivals. Before joining Art Jameel, Jannah gained event production experience at Art Dubai during her internship as Assistant Travel Coordinator.
Jawad is the liaison between Art Jameel and government institutions related to immigration and licensing. Jawad has over 10 years of experience in the UAE, where he has worked in established international companies and contributed to the set-up of new businesses.
As a Finance Manager, Jenny works closely with Art Jameel colleagues across all departments. Previously with Drive Mena under Abdul Latif Jameel Advertising Services Company, Jenny holds an MBA and has 18 years of experience in finance and has been a part of the creative industries for over 8 years. Although finance is 24/7, she makes time to read.
Julie began her journey at Art Jameel Shop as a part-time employee and later transitioned to a full-time Retail Assistant. Her role involves a wide range of responsibilities, including providing customers with detailed assistance, managing administrative tasks, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to uphold the shop's performance standards. She ensures seamless communication and alignment with organizational goals. Beyond work, Julie is passionate about dance, dedicating time to exploring various styles, which highlights her strong dedication to the arts.
Lama believes that bringing stories to life - in their truest form - is an essential part of being. Following that ethos, she naturally found herself in the Communications team at Art Jameel, building public and industry awareness of the organization, its programmes, artists, and practitioners. With a strong passion for the arts, Lama moved from the Advertising world, having previously worked at Leo Burnett for three years, to solely focusing on the arts, with experience in institutions like Art Dubai and Cinema Akil. As an artist herself, Lama also tells her own stories as a singer and songwriter, performing across the UAE and KSA.
Lucas is an Exhibitions Curator at Jameel Arts Centre, collaborating closely with artists and researchers to deliver new exhibitions, publications and commissions for Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park. Before joining, Lucas was Curator at Bétonsalon – Center for Art and Research, in Paris, and previously worked at the Sursock Museum in Beirut. He holds a particular interest in research-based practices with a social and historical emphasis, as well as animals (particularly cats).
Majd is deeply passionate about art and thrilled to share that enthusiasm as a Visitor Experience Assistant at Jameel Arts Centre. With a background in Visitor Engagement and Programming, she is committed to making every visitor’s experience both engaging and memorable. Majd loves helping guests explore contemporary art and discover the stories behind our exhibitions. Her warm and approachable manner ensures that every visit is enjoyable and enriching, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all who come through our doors.
Mary Ann joined the Art Jameel team in 2018 with over 7 years of experience working with various retail brands in the UAE, including but not limited to booksellers. As the Retail Coordinator at the Art Jameel Shop, Mary Ann's focus is on customer service and merchandising.
Mohamed is Art Jameel’s Regional Financial Controller with expertise in financial management, auditing and expense reporting, and budget creation. Mohamed joined Art Jameel in January 2019 and he was previously a senior financial analyst in Abdul Latif Jameel International - Energy and water operations.
In her role as Administrative Coordinator at Jameel Arts Centre, Monalisa manages Art Jameel’s database, liaises with Art Jameel's hospitality and travel partners, and supports the wider team with finance and logistical needs. Monalisa is also part of the Visitor Experience team and welcomes Jameel Arts Centre's visitors and support during public events and festivals.
Murad El Zagal studied architecture in the USA and Jordan and practiced design in the UAE prior to joining Art Jameel where he holds a particular interest in cross-disciplinary approaches to diversifying audiences and maximizing impact in the creative cultural scene through strategic partnerships, marketing, advertising and other outreach initiatives while engaging with new technologies and special projects.
Nabeeha Sajjad, a multimedia artist based in Dubai, transforms concepts into compelling realities. As an alumna of Jameel's Youth Assembly 2024, she continues to develop her skills with the Jameel team as a communications assistant. With a degree in Multimedia Design from the American University of Sharjah, Nabeeha employs an experimental approach that blends philosophy, photography, videography, and design to create visually captivating narratives.
As Art Jameel's Logistics and Administration Coordinator, Naseef works closely with the Collections and Exhibitions departments, liaising with partners and suppliers to provide creative and efficient solutions for the movement of artwork in and out of Jameel Arts Centre. Naseef has over 12 years of experience in land, sea, and air shipping and logistics for large-scale events and fairs.
As Procurement Coordinator and part of the Operations team at Jameel Arts Centre, Naveen works closely with all departments. His role includes developing purchasing guidelines for Art Jameel in Dubai, establishing relationships with vendors, assessing products and services, and negotiating supplier contracts. Naveen started his career in the UAE in the Hospitality sector and also has experience in Facility Management and Oil & Gas industries.
As a part of the Visitors Experience team, Neelham welcomes visitors who are looking to explore creativity by introducing them to the center's programmes and exhibitions. Her passion for the arts and commitment to social impact are key to her role in promoting community engagement and making art accessible and enjoyable for all.
Nora manages the exhibitions programme at the Jameel Arts Centre, and contributes to curatorial thinking across the board. Previous roles include heading up programmes at the Sursock Museum, Beirut, and curating public programmes at Tate, London. She has an MA in Anthropology and Cultural Politics from Goldsmiths College, London, where she also designed and taught the MA course ‘Critical Pedagogy in Contested Space’ at the Centre for Arts and Learning.
Qutouf leads special projects and collaborations at Art Jameel. As part of the Exhibitions team, she heads the Anhar: Culture and Climate Platform and supports with commissions for the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park. Qutouf is a writer with a special interest in the poetics of the Archive. She holds an MA in Culture Industry from Goldsmiths, University of London.
Working behind the scenes, Rhoda's role involves the registration, provenance research and conservation of the Art Jameel Collection. With a degree in Art History and Museology she is particularly interested in the preventive conservation of material culture. Rhoda previously worked with the Art Jameel Learning department, before naturally transitioning to the collections team.
Rita welcomes the Jameel Arts Centre’s many visitors daily as part of her role as Visitor Experience Coordinator. Rita has a background in hospitality and guest services, which she draws on into her undisputed love for all things arts and culture
Ruba develops strategic, integrated and global communications for Art Jameel across Saudi Arabia and the UAE. She studied media and creative industries at Institut d'études politiques de Paris, and went on to work as a journalist, writing extensively on art from and about the region for publications such as Art Asia Pacific, Vogue and the Brooklyn Rail.
Sobia works behind-the-scenes on Art Jameel events, from exhibition openings to large-scale festivals, and oversees hosted events at the Jameel Arts Centre. She also nurtures new partnerships, including with the diplomatic community and cultural organisations. Sobia holds an MA in South Asia studies with a focus on contemporary Pakistan from SOAS. Sobia previously worked at Qatar Museums and Art Dubai.
Uns oversees education programmes at Jameel Arts Centre – from school visits and children’s materials through to research initiatives and the Jameel Library. She has a particular interest in visual culture and alternative histories and, over the past ten years, has worked across research, programming and content-development. Previous roles include managing the Global Art Forum at Art Dubai and research and curatorial at the Sharjah Art Foundation.
Vanessa started as an Intern during Art Jameel's annual book closing, and quickly rose to fulltime Junior Accounrant in the Finance Department. Through hard work, dedication and perseverance, Vanessa is set on overcoming obstacles by employing best practices and creative problem-solving. Prior to Art Jameel, she has worked for over 10 years as an accountant in her home country, Philippines.
Vladimir is a multidisciplinary artist and a trained interior architect and was selected to design the Starch Foundation Boutique. As Enterprises Manager, he strategically oversees Art Jameel shop’s global expansion and manages Art Jameel Consultancy projects and partnership networks. Vladimir has previous experience handling retail projects from concept to execution which developed his interest in business structures and strategies. As a musician, Vladimir has performed at the prestigious Baalbeck and Al Bustan International Festivals and produced the soundtrack for Mazen Khaled's film "Martyr," which premiered at the Venice Biennale.
Zahra is an architectural designer and artist-researcher based in Dubai. She studied Architecture at the University of Westminster, U.K and was part of the 2022 cohort at the Salama Bint Hamdan Emerging Artist Fellow (SEAF) programme. At Art Jameel, she is part of the Design and Production team, designing and producing exhibitions at the Jameel Arts Centre. Her work involves close collaboration with artists and curators, ensuring that each exhibition is a unique and engaging experience for the audience. When she’s not at the Centre, you can find her making clay sculptures in her studio.
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