The Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar wrapped up the 53rd annual congress of the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art (IKT), co-hosted with the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery from April 8–14, 2025. Marking the first time the congress was held in the Gulf region, the event brought together curators, museum leaders, and contemporary art practitioners to explore innovation in curatorial practice and the arts.
The weeklong program began in Doha at Northwestern Qatar’s campus (April 8–10), then moved to Abu Dhabi (April 11–12), Dubai (April 13), and Sharjah (April 14). Participants engaged in a curated series of exhibitions, symposia, studio visits, and guided tours, which together offered a rare opportunity for collaboration and dialogue among the curatorial delegates and the region’s foremost art institutions and professionals.
"Hosting the 53rd IKT Congress at Northwestern Qatar is an exciting moment for us that reflects our dedication to creating a space where creativity, community, and collaboration thrive,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “This congress gives curators, museum directors, and artists the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas on curation, digital innovation, and artistic practice. It’s not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about building relationships and contributing to a global conversation. We are proud to play a part in that, bringing together such inspiring minds and strengthening our role in advancing a more collaborative and dynamic cultural exchange."
Maya Allison, executive director of the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, noted, "Co-hosting the IKT Congress visit to the UAE feels deeply meaningful. We’ve gathered an incredible group of curators and cultural thinkers, and the conversations we’re having are timely and important. It’s not only about curatorial practice—it’s about how we connect with communities, how we adapt to change, and how we imagine the future of art and its contexts in this region and beyond."
As part of the Doha programming, the Media Majlis Museum hosted a two-part symposium titled “Disrupture: Perspectives from the Arabian Peninsula”, examining how curators, artists, and institutions in the Gulf contributed to contemporary discourse. Dean Kraidy delivered the opening remarks, followed by a keynote address, “Beyond Center and Periphery,” by artist Oraib Toukan, and two panel discussions, each offering diverse perspectives on contemporary curation.
The first panel, “Museums in the Making,” chaired by Zeina Arida, director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, featured Alanood Al Thani, director of Rubaiya Qatar; curator Lina Ramadan; Meriam Berrada, artistic director at Museum of African Contemporary Art; and Caroline Hancock, deputy director of curatorial affairs and senior curator of modern and contemporary art at Art Mill Museum, in a discussion on the development of cultural spaces in the Global South. Panelists explored how new cultural institutions are reshaping curatorial practices and community engagement to encourage innovation and inclusivity.
Hancock underscored the importance of co-curation, stating, “We are already in dialogue with future audiences—co-curating with communities like Pakistani’s in Qatar helps us begin our journey.” Meanwhile, Al Thani emphasized collaboration, noting, “We are not imposing—we’re embracing the ecosystem by working collaboratively and experimentally across institutions and public spaces.”
“Hosting the 53rd IKT Congress at Northwestern Qatar is an exciting moment for us that reflects our dedication to creating a space where creativity, community, and collaboration thrive. This congress gives curators, museum directors, and artists the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas on curation, digital innovation, and artistic practice. It’s not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about building relationships and contributing to a global conversation.”
The second panel, "Unlearning and Relearning," led by Alfredo Cramerotti, director of the Media Majlis Museum, featured curator Tirdad Zolghadr; independent art critic and curator Nadine Khalil; Effat Fadag, associate professor of fine arts at University of Jeddah; Holiday Powers, assistant professor of art history at VCUarts Qatar,; and Miguel Blanco Carrasco, arts and culture executive and advisor at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, in a discussion on evolving curatorial approaches and the concept of “fluid knowledge.” Panelists examined the shifting role of institutional authority and how cultural spaces are redefining their relationships with communities.
Zolghadr challenged conventional notions of authority, stating, “Authority doesn’t have to mean gatekeeping—it can be a point of ritual, a reference, a place for coming together and learning.” From his side, Carrasco emphasized a growing shift toward inclusivity, noting, “Cultural institutions are moving from authority-driven models to care-driven models—listening to communities and adapting programs accordingly,” underscoring the increasing responsiveness of curatorial practices
Cramerotti expressed, "It was an immense honor to co-host the IKT Congress at The Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar. This successful debut aligns perfectly with our mission of expanding cultural horizons and fostering meaningful discussions on themes that shape our daily lives, while also exploring curatorial methodologies. The experience has been truly enriching for all of us."
Abu Dhabi’s program at NYU Abu Dhabi welcomed nearly 90 international curators for a series of conversations, collaborations, and critical reflections on the UAE’s fast-evolving cultural landscape. The day began with a keynote address by Her Excellency Manal Ataya, museums advisor to the Sharjah Museums Authority, followed by a series of rapid-fire case studies featuring leaders from across the UAE’s cultural sector.
Speakers included Salwa Mikdadi, director of al Mawrid Arab Center for the Study of Art at NYU Abu
Dhabi; Stephanie Rosenthal, project director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; Vilma Jurkute, executive director of Alserkal Initiatives; Munira Al Sayegh, founder of Dirwaza Lab; and Pradeep Sharma, director of arts, culture and heritage. The conversations explored how curators in the UAE are rethinking institutional models, forging new forms of collaboration, and expanding the role of art in public life.
The program concluded with behind-the-scenes access to NYU Abu Dhabi’s creative ecosystem, including open studios with faculty and MFA students, and a tour of the Art Gallery’s current exhibition, “Between the Tides: A Gulf Quinquennial,” a five-year survey of art from the Gulf region. The day offered curators an immersive experience of the university’s artistic community and its growing influence in the region’s cultural field.
The Media Majlis Museum reflects Northwestern Qatar's commitment to holistic education by advancing cultural exchange through exhibitions that blend scholarship, art, and media. Its collaboration with the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery to present this important IKT Congress 2025 would not have been possible without the support of the following partners: Qatar Museums’ Fire Station Gallery, Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar, and Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, as well as Alserkal Avenue, BLR World and Barker Langham, Italian Cultural Institute Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Art Foundation, Warehouse 421, Barjeel Art Foundation, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Jameel Art Centre and Jameel Arts, Ishara Art Foundation & Prabhakar Collection, Barjeel Art Foundation, Maraya Art Center, and MIZA.
