International curators gather in UAE for landmark contemporary art conference
The 53rd annual conference of the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art (IKT) concluded in the United Arab Emirates in April 2025, marking a significant milestone as the first time this prestigious global event took place in the Gulf region. The conference, a collaboration between the Art Gallery at New York University Abu Dhabi and the Media Council Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar, spanned from April 8 to April 14 and was hosted across multiple cities, including Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.
This extensive week-long programme brought together an esteemed assembly of around 90 international curators, museum directors, and contemporary art practitioners, facilitating an exchange of innovative ideas on art evaluation practices and the evolving cultural landscape. It featured curated exhibitions, seminars, specialist visits, and tours, offering attendees an exceptional opportunity to engage with leading cultural institutions and experts operating within the Middle East.
The conference commenced with events at Northwestern University in Qatar (April 8-10) before moving to the UAE. In Abu Dhabi (April 11-12), participants engaged in intensive dialogue sessions that explored new perspectives on the region’s dynamic art scene. The sessions were inaugurated with a keynote address by Manal Attaya, Museums Advisor at the Sharjah Museums Authority, who set the tone for discussions centred on developing contemporary art frameworks that respond to rapid cultural shifts.
Several prominent figures from the UAE’s cultural sector took part in these sessions, including Salwa Makhadadi, Director of Al-Mawrid: The Arab Center for Art Studies at New York University Abu Dhabi; Stephanie Rosenthal, Director of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project; Philma Yorkut, Executive Director of the Sirkal Initiatives; Munira Al-Sayegh, Founder of Darwaza Lab; and Pradeep Sharma, Director of Arts, Culture, and Heritage. Together, they shared insights on ongoing transformations within regional art institutions, the adaptation of institutional models, expanded collaborative frameworks, and the growing role of art in public discourse.
Maya Allison, Executive Director of the Art Gallery at New York University Abu Dhabi, highlighted the importance of the event, stating, "Hosting the university's annual conference of the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art for 2025 has profound implications, in my opinion. We brought together a distinguished array of curators and cultural thinkers, engaging in important dialogues at an opportune time. It is not limited to evaluative practices alone but also includes connections with various segments of society and our adaptation to changes and envisioning the future of art and its contexts both within and beyond the region."
Dr. Marwan Al-Khraidy, Dean and CEO of Northwestern University in Qatar, emphasised the conference's role in fostering creativity and collaboration, explaining, "Hosting the conference of the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art (IKT) represents a special moment in our academic and cultural journey. We believe in the importance of providing spaces that foster creativity and collaboration, and through this conference, we aim to inspire dialogues, exchange ideas about digital art practices and exhibition coordination, and build relationships that contribute to creating global discourse."
The final day included a tour at New York University Abu Dhabi's creative spaces, where participants visited faculty and master’s students’ fine arts studios. Attendees also explored the Art Gallery’s current exhibition, "Between the Tide: A Gulf Quintet," which presents key artistic productions from the Gulf region over the past five years, highlighting local creativity and its resonance on the international stage.
For associations and trade bodies operating in the arts and cultural sector, this conference epitomised a vital platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and fostering international partnerships. The event underscored the UAE and wider Gulf region’s growing role as a vibrant hub for contemporary art dialogue, innovation, and institutional development, shaping future directions in curatorial practice and cultural collaboration.