The Assembly is a yearly talent development programme designed to support young artistic leadership in the UAE. Each year, eight creatives aged 18 to 24 are selected via a nomination, committee and interview process. The platform’s multidisciplinary cohort of UAE-based practising creatives (artists, designers, architects, researchers, curators and more) collaborate through fortnightly sessions to explore ways of engaging with the arts and creative practices, through discussions on topics of ongoing relevance; explore personal creative interests within the framework of the programme; gain knowledge-based skills; visit exhibitions on view at Jameel Arts Centre; and connect with artists, curators and other cultural producers and leaders.

The programme includes peer-to-peer information exchange, along with the development of collaborative projects. It focuses on curatorial practices as a learning exercise, responding to ongoing discourse while accessing Art Jameel’s network and opportunities, giving Assembly members a holistic perspective into developing creative projects. At the Jameel, available tools for learning and research include Jameel Library and the Art Jameel Collection, as well as a robust calendar of exhibitions and events for continuous involvement of youth voices.

The Assembly programme culminates with the Youth Takeover, incubated through the Spring and presented annually in May: this exhibition and public programmes project takes over the Jameel with a series of artwork commissions, workshops, talks, tours and roundtable discussions. The participating cohort leads the Youth Takeover, with guidance from the Art Jameel team, in conceptual research and curatorial thinking, exhibition design and production, programme development, and the multiple efforts that bring the immersive project to fruition.

The fifth cohort of the Assembly ran from September 2023 to May 2024. The bi-weekly sessions and Youth Takeover take place at Jameel Arts Centre in Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai.

To learn more about The Assembly, please contact youth@artjameel.org