Sharjah Art Foundation

Sharjah Art Foundation brings a broad range of contemporary art and cultural programmes to the communities of Sharjah, the UAE and the region. Since 2009 SAF has built on the history of cultural collaboration and exchange that began with the first Sharjah Biennial in 1993. Working with local and international partners, we create opportunities for artists and artistic production through our core initiatives that include the Sharjah Biennial, the annual March Meeting, residencies, production grants, commissions, exhibitions, research, publications and a growing collection. Our education and public programmes focus on building recognition of the central role art can play in the life of a community by promoting public learning and a participatory approach to art. Sharjah Art Foundation is funded by the Department of Culture and Information, Government of Sharjah.

SAF Director Hoor Al-Qasimi

Appointed Curator for the National Pavilion United Arab Emirates at the 2015 International Art Exhibition – La Venice Biennale di Venezia

The appointment of Sheikha Hoor as curator was announced on Monday by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, commissioners for the National Pavilion United Arab Emirates la Biennale di Venezia.

The National Pavilion of the UAE, Arsenale Sale d'Armi, Venice (currently under construction) Credit: Davide Ferrante

2014 Production Programme Grant Recipients Announced

Seven artists have been selected by Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) to receive support for the realisation of new projects in 2014. The SAF Production Programme grantees are Marwa Arsanios, Elena Artemenko, Ali Cherri, Ahmad Ghossein, Jumana Manna, Zineb Sedira, and Raed Yassin.

The Disquiet (film still), d. Ali Cherri - 2013

Abdullah Al Saadi: Al-Toubay

Exhibition

22 February - 22 May 2014
Bait Hussain Makrani and Bait Hassan Mukhtar
SAF Art Spaces

Abdullah Al Saadi, Camar Cande’s Journey, 2010-2011, installation, video, 151 watercolour paintings, dimensions variable. Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation. Installation view at Sharjah Art Foundation Art Spaces

Eduard Puterbrot: Between my East and my West

Exhibition

22 February - 22 May 2014
Building J
SAF Art Spaces

Eduard Puterbrot: Between my East and my West, installation view at Sharjah Art Foundation Art Spaces

Rawdat al-Balabel

In collaboration with AMAR Foundation (Arab Music Archiving & Research), Sharjah Art Foundation presents Rawdat al-Balabel: a series of podcasts about classical Arabic music that consists of 104 episodes posted online over the course of 52 weeks. The fifty seventh podcast of Rawdat al-Balabel Dawr “Bahri singing” (1)" is now available.

Image courtesy of AMAR Foundation

Ahmed Mater: 100 Found Objects

Exhibitions

22 February - 22 May 2014
Building F
SAF Art Spaces

Ahmed Mater, 100 Found Objects, National Geographic magazine, 1917, Paper, 26 x 18cm. Installation view at Sharjah Art Foundation Art Spaces

Sharjah Biennial 12

Eungie Joo as Curator

Sharjah Art Foundation announces the appointment of Eungie Joo as Curator of Sharjah Biennial 12 (SB12), opening in March 2015. Joo was Director of Art and Cultural Programs at Instituto Inhotim in Brumadinho, Brasil, and previously served as Director and Curator of Education and Public Programs at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York.

SAF Education Programme

SAF Art School: Spring 2014
Children's Education Programme
March 1 – May 31, 2014

Sharjah Art Foundation’s education programme offers children the opportunity to discover their artistic creativity while learning about art and culture. Through a variety of learning experiences featuring workshops, activities and events, SAF's multi-disciplinary approach helps students build art knowledge, creativity and confidence. Taught by professional artists, SAF’s education initiative is designed in response to themes within its ongoing exhibition programme.

SAF Young Artist Programme: Spring/Summer 2014
Adult Education Programme
March 29 – September 6, 2014

Sharjah Art Foundation offers a series of seminars, intensive workshops, and discussions with art professionals aimed at young artists who wish to deepen their practice and develop their professional and practical skills.

SAF Urban Garden

Now Open

Urban Garden, Bait Al Hamdan Bin Mousa

Open Call: Studio space for UAE based artists

SAF invites UAE based artists to apply for studio space at the Collections Building in Sharjah Arts Area. Through an Open Call, three studio spaces will be granted to artists by selection, and seven other spaces will be available for rent.