Localized Futures: The Arts

421’s season of talks and panel discussions developed in collaboration with afikra, Localized Futures, explores the future of key cultural and civic sectors through a regional lens – challenging the dominant global narrative by looking at the complexities, innovations, and solutions inherent to the MENA region. Across four sessions on Collective Heritage, Cities & Communities, Education, and The Arts, the series brings together institutional leaders, policy shapers, and cultural pioneers to spotlight the people actively building these futures today.

For this session on The Arts, we’re told the speakers will share their perspectives on arts patronage, the role of independent platforms, and the responsibility cultural institutions carry in making space for both established and emerging voices. It looks a good panel for that – Faisal Al Hassan, director of 421 Arts Campus; Stephanie Rosenthal, director of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project; Vilma Jurkute, founding Director of Alserkal and now an independent advisor connecting culture, urbanism & community; and Shaikha Nawar Al Qassimi, Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation. The moderator is Mikey Muhanna, founder and Executive Director of afikra.

The panel discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and refreshments.