Numoo - The Arts Center’s Professional Development Program for Performing Artists
Numoo, meaning growth in Arabic, is The Arts Center’s Professional Development Program for Performing Artists. It is designed as an accelerator to foster the individual career growth of performing artists based in the UAE, with the goal of contributing to the development of the arts ecosystem across the nation.
The program is created for performing artists from disciplines including, but not limited to, music, theater, dance, spoken word, performance and live art, and combinations of multiple disciplines, who are up and coming in their field and have a demonstrated desire to make the UAE their artistic home.
APPLICATIONS FOR NUMOO 2026 ARE NOW OPEN
Numoo is focused on professional skills and process, rather than being end-product-oriented or directed toward artists’ creative practice. It is designed to help each artist grow professionally in their field and empower them to bring their work to the public, in the UAE and abroad.
After a rigorous application process, artists selected for the Numoo program receive guidance from The Arts Center team, invited international arts professionals, and each other.
The program's curriculum includes the following course elements:
- Defining and Pitching Your Vision
- Building Your Team
- Producing Your Work
- Fundraising and Partnerships
- Intellectual Property
- Building Your Brand
- Contracts and Negotiation
- Touring
- Working with Production / Developing Your Technical Rider
- Final project presentations synthesizing your new knowledge
After its pilot online edition in 2021-22 and two subsequent in-person cohorts in 2023 and 2024, 24 artists have graduated from Numoo. Numoo’s fourth edition will take place from May to August 2026. Learn more about the program through the short videos of the 2024 and 2023 cohorts below.
Numoo 2026 Application
Application Deadline: April 12, 2026, 11:59pm
The application will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Submit your application here.
Following the deadline, we will select a short list of finalists who will be asked to take part in a 15-minute online Zoom interview during the week of April 20. We’ll select the final cohort of participants following these meetings. Applicants will be notified by April 24, and the program will begin in May 2026.
Numoo will take place over three weekend intensive full day (10am-7pm) sessions. To be eligible, participants must be available for all three sessions. Most guest speakers will appear in person, though we will have some favorite returning instructors joining on video:
- Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, 2026
- Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7, 2026
- Saturday and Sunday, August 29 and 30, 2026
Program expectations:
- Attending all Numoo sessions.
- Continuous independent work on your individual projects as per your individual needs. This may vary for each artist based on goals that you may outline for yourself at the beginning of the program.
- Possible participation as a panelist in at least one public conversation.
- Participating in a survey and an exit interview describing the process and its impact.
Funding:
Each selected artist will be awarded a grant of 10,000 AED payable upon completion of the program.
Eligibility requirements:
Age: At least 18 years of age
Residency status: Must be a resident of the UAE for the duration of the program, with a demonstrated commitment and long-term interest in contributing to the UAE’s artistic scene.
Participants may not be enrolled in any degree-bearing program or artist residencies during the program period.
Eligible artists will reflect varying degrees of professional experience, with a demonstrated record of artistic accomplishments. It is not a requirement to be a full-time artist, though it should be a major aspect of the applicant’s activities.
Please note that the selection committee will review all applications, and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications.
For any direct questions, please contact Lana Goliath.