The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi Celebrates 10th Season With 55 Performances Featuring 30+ Global and Local Artists

The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has announced its milestone 10th season, with a calendar of events themed Looking Back and Looking Forward, featuring returning favorites bringing new projects, alongside groundbreaking new acts.

“Our partnerships with the business community of the UAE have allowed us to really increase our ambitions. The Arts Center is grateful to our lead sponsor Mubadala, who also present our Off The Stage series, revealing their long-term commitment to building the nation’s arts ecosystem, and investing in talent and capacity development through panels, discussions, and workshops. We also thank the US Mission to the UAE, who support artist development and youth educational activities; and Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels, our partner in promoting contemporary dance in the UAE.”

Bill Bragin, NYUAD Arts Center Executive Artistic Director

Highlights include the world premiere of Reem Almenhali and Ahmed Almadloum’s Hamour Doesn’t Leave the Cubicle; UAE debuts by Gaye Su Akyol (on a bill with TootArd); Cimafunk and futuristic Congolese/French collaboration KOKOKO!; Abosahar and Aita Mon Amour at the Tamaas Festival; and the first UAE performances of Cie. Hervé Koubi’s Sol Invictus, Chrystèle Khodr’s Augurs, and Cie. Omar Rajeh & Maqamat’s Beytna. Returning appearances include Trisha Brown Dance Company, Maysoon Zayid, and Yahael Onono Camara of Balimaya Project.

For the full list of events, click here.

Building an Arts Ecosystem

Continuing its mission to promote interaction between artist and audience, Off The Stage presented by Mubadala returns with another full schedule designed to contribute to the ever-changing story of the arts in the UAE. Highlights include dance workshops with Cie Herve Koubi; Trisha Brown Dance Company; Maqamat, dance and multi-media performance workshops with Purring Tiger; “Theater 101: The Mask Before the Script” with Francesa Bizzarri; and “Striking Chords: A Workshop Investigation of Tension & Vibration in Performance” with Aishia Lin & Matthew Dean Marsh.

To download artist images for this season’s program please visit here.

Executive Artistic Director of The Arts Center Bill Bragin commented: “The Arts Center is a place for discovery and inspiration. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we reflect on a decade of memorable collaborations that have positioned us as an international leader while also playing a vital role in developing the UAE’s arts landscape. We’re thrilled to have built strong and lasting relationships with both artists and audiences through a commitment to fostering creativity and serving as a vibrant hub for intercultural dialogue. The positive experiences of returning artists are a testament to the quality of engagement by our public audiences, and with the university community. Looking ahead, our commitment to developing NYUAD as a major cultural resource, on Saadiyat Island and for the UAE as a whole, remains a priority as we continue to champion innovation, diversity, inclusion, and artistic excellence.”