Jameel Arts Centre Launches Showcase Of UAE Creative Talent Via Interactive Virtual Programme Jaddaf Aloud Online

Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai’s contemporary art institution, today announces Jaddaf Aloud Online, a new virtual programme designed to celebrate homegrown creative talent and provide opportunities for local audiences to engage and support through a series of activations. Starting today (Sunday, April 19), Jameel Arts Centre will host a series of new, interactive, artist-led workshops for all ages, music performances, a directory featuring local artisans, and a ‘guided tour’ of diverse Dubai-based eateries that can fulfil home deliveries.

Reflecting Jameel Arts Centre’s commitment to community engagement and open, multi-generational programming, the virtual artist-led workshops, activities, market, live music and films are for everyone – including families, children, teens and youth. Jaddaf Aloud Online is a multidisciplinary, collaborative event, building recognition, opportunities and experiences for UAE-based creatives; the programme replaces Jameel Arts Centre’s previously planned Ramadan market and associated programming.

Jaddaf Aloud Online is a virtual iteration of Jameel Arts Centre’s popular annual festival, Jaddaf Aloud!, which brings together the community in a celebration of homegrown creative talent. The inaugural festival was held in December 2019 at Jameel Arts Centre, throughout the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park and along the Creekside corniche of Jaddaf Waterfront.  The collaborative festival included pop-ups and programming by cultural partners, including Dubai Holding, Art Dubai and the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, and the participation of entities including Alserkal Avenue, Zayed University, thejamjar and Gulf Photo Plus. The festival is planned to return as a physical event on Friday, November 20, 2020.

Make

For Jaddaf Aloud Online, Jameel Arts Centre has commissioned UAE-based artists to design and lead interactive projects for kids, teens and adults, using materials readily available at home. Sessions – many led by practitioners who regularly collaborate with Art Jameel — include crafts, art projects and mindfulness exercises. Workshops are led by Gulf Photo Plus, Eman AlHashemi, KAVE–The Story of Things, Asma Khoory, Natalya Konforti, Faissal El-Malak, Sara Masinaei, Rania Naccour, Jameel Assembly member Daniel Rey, Marwan Shakarchi, Malda Smadi and Nahla Al Tabbaa.

Shop

Jaddaf Aloud Online also features a carefully selected directory of UAE-based artisans, stores and homegrown businesses. Selected via Art Jameel Shop, 2019 Jaddaf Aloud! market and the previously planned Ramadan Souk, the list highlights artisanal goods, handmade items and seasonal novelty products, enabling audiences to connect with local makers and businesses from the comfort of their own homes.

Eat

Jameel Arts Centre has collaborated with Frying Pan Adventures, Dubai’s pioneering food and culture walking tour organisers, to create a downloadable guide to small-yet-dynamic, local eateries that highlights the diversity of UAE food culture. All selected eateries provide home deliveries.

Listen

Highlighting emerging, home-grown UAE-based talent, Jaddaf Aloud Online presents a headline act by Sound of Nomads, performing a live 30-minute set of acoustic covers and originals from his home on Monday, April 20 at 8pm (UAE time). Additionally, a special showcase featuring emerging musicians and composers brings together six original instrumental compositions from across the UAE by Hana Boukhris, David Dykov, Ibrahim Al Junaibi, Klip Lester, Majd Al Sabbah and Leendert van’t Riet.

Watch

Partnering with Analog Room, Dubai’s landmark electronic and live music venue, Jaddaf Aloud Online brings you a series of International experimental short films on Wednesday, April 22 at 8pm (UAE time). The films are curated in collaboration with Vidéoformes, an international association that organises an annual digital arts festival in France.

Jaddaf Aloud Online is designed for families, youth of all ages, music-lovers, cinephiles, photographers, crafters, authors, poets, artists and enthusiasts. It is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to collate and showcase such a diversity of homegrown creative talents from across the UAE to homes all over the country. New content will be released daily on the Jameel Arts Centre’s website, free and accessible to all. The full programme of online releases is available here.