Creative Career Days: day one

The Jameel’s introduction to careers in the creative sector, aimed primarily at school and college students, is back. Past editions were given to somewhat unwieldy titles, and this one continues the trend with Art as a Voice: How do you use it? The programme aims “to unpack how creative communities are built and sustained, and how artists can pursue their work with clarity and purpose”.

There will be stands run by potential employers and educators (over 30 UAE organisations and universities) promoting “various facets of the creative industry” and “the diverse offerings of local creative organisations”. The best part is the busy programme of workshops and talks that cover some of the essentials, including how to develop and present performance work, build a portfolio and access information; in short, “whether you are starting your journey into the arts or looking to reimagine your path, this edition aims to equip you with inspiration, practical guidance and insights into building a practice rooted in community, intention and expression …”

These are drop-in open-to-all days; they’re followed by a schools-only day on 9 February. Most of the programme is first-come first-served, with no opportunity for pre-registration.

Programme – day one:

All day

Career Surgery One-to-one sessions led by Jolaine Frizzell (Founder, Ivy Advisory) – includes a guide to the booths tailored to the individual’s needs

Instagram Surgery One-to-one sessions led by Morvarid Tayyeb and Salma Shaheem (both from The Institute for Emerging Art) – a personalised review of your Instagram profile, guidance on how you can maximise your artistic presence on socials

1-to-1 University Q&A One-to-one sessions led by Miranda Higgins (International Student Recruitment Manager at University of the Arts London) – explore study options from one of the world’s top art and design universities

Speedy Interviews One-to-one CV-oriented with potential contacts

11am-12pm Vinyl Souk
12-1pm Bayt Al Mamzar
2-3pm American University of Sharjah
3-4pm Abu Dhabi Music and Art Foundation

Portfolio Reviews One-to-one critiques and feedback to help develop your portfolio for
residencies, university programmes and professional opportunities

10-11am New York University Abu Dhabi (MFA)
11am-12pm American University of Dubai (advertising)
12-1pm New York University Abu Dhabi (MFA)
2-3pm Global Studies University (MA and PhD programmes)
3-4pm Gulf Photo Plus (photography)
4-5pm Tashkeel (fine art)
5-6pm Maraya Arts Centre (fine art)

CV Reviews One-to-one critiques and feedback to help develop your CV to get noticed

11am-12pm Dubai Culture
1-2pm Art Jameel
2-3pm National Pavilion UAE
3-4pm Art Jameel
4-5pm American University of Dubai

Open Studio A public session hosted by Art Jameel’s Youth Assembly to present their research and ongoing projects in preparations for the upcoming Youth Takeover exhibition (May 2026).

Museum tours

11.30am-12.15pm Behind the Scenes Tour Learn how an exhibition comes together: a walking tour of the museum, led by the featured artists and the Art Jameel team

4.30-5.15pm Behind-the-Scenes Collection Tour A backstage view of Art Jameel’s private collection room, with an introduction to the tools used to conserve and preserve artworks

Talks

11-11.45am Creating Environments for Connecting Panel discussion on how connection can be cultivated through shared experiences, storytelling and food

12-12.45pm Making It Work: On Sustaining a Creative Practice Panel session on the financial and professional realities of working in the creative industry, with practical insights on sustaining a creative career without losing sight of the work itself

2-2.45pm Humanising Artificial Intelligence A Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation workshop about treating AI as a medium to be designed rather than a threat to be feared.

2.30-3.30pm Voices of Hive: From Solo Vision to Shared Language – Scaling Ideas Through Collaboration Led by Hady Fakhry (Creative Strategist, ANDCO) who reflects on the transition from individual creative vision to collaborative execution, co-founding and growing a branding agency, and how ideas evolve when shaped by multiple perspectives.

3.30-4.15pm Build What You Wish Existed: A Creative Roadmap for Launching Your Initiative Interactive talk with participants invited to imagine, design and plan impact-driven projects rooted in their community’s needs. Includes live doodling and visual mapping exercises to shape ideas and more

4-5pm Voices of Hive: Brewing Connections – How Creative Collectives Transform Culture Led by Hanan Al Badri (Creative Director, Founder of Barjis) who discusses how grassroots creative collectives and shared spaces can act as platforms for cultural exchange and experimentation

Workshops

11.45am-12.45pm Writing Workshop: Vantage points for another world Explores writing fiction from different perspectives and ideas of Utopia

1-2pm Improv session: How do you use your voice, when you have no voice? Improv centred on personal stories and inner reflections. Participants explore their voice through words, sound, presence and imagination

2-3pm The Dream System: Designing a Roadmap to Creative Practice How structured systems can help transform ideas into tangible creative outcomes, using tools developed through game design to rethink how creative projects take shape

3-4pm How to Build a Creative Side Hustle Without Burning Out Hosted by Karama Arts Club: a practical, open conversation about making your creative side projects sustainable alongside a full-time job or studies

4-5pm Music Production Workshop: Pocket Operator A hands-on workshop – learn the basics of rhythm sequencing, sampling and layering

Performances

3-4.15pm AlMultaqa Chamber Orchestra

5-6pm 63Kolektib+: Dayo – Rehearsal of Existence (“an intimate glimpse into the collective’s journey of art-making as migrants”)