Sharjah Art Foundation

Sharjah Biennial 16

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
6 Febuary — 15 June 2025

Public session

Dealing with Art Blocks
Date: 7 February 2021
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Tutor: Stefan Messam
Session link


This session will explore how to overcome creative blocks, moments of staleness and roadblocks in an art practice. Through prompts and drawing exercises, the session aims to disrupt, pivot and evolve participants’ practice and streams of thought around their work.

Public session

Improving Our Relationship with Failure
Date: 8 February 2021
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Tutor: Toleen Al Badawi
Session link

This session will explore the mental blocks hindering the development of an art career. Combining methods from executive coaching and cognitive healing, this session will help participants better understand their fears and doubts and navigate issues related to self-worth and imposter syndrome so they can overcome any mental blocks through a structured career strategy.

Public session

The PR Dialogue
Date: 9 February 2021
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Tutor: Maryam and Yusur Al Dabbagh
Session link

In this session, participants will learn how to write about their work and practice for the press and how to utilise public relations tactics and communication tools to increase awareness and public engagement. The session will cover creating a press kit, furthering intercultural communications, creating bilingual strategies and building relationships with the press.

Public session

Social Media and Collaborative Strategies
Date: 10 February 2021
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Tutor: Sofiane Si Merabet
Session link

This session will consider the challenges of having a social media presence that may be over- or under-exposing one›s practice. It will also debunk negative myths around commercialism and collaboration with luxury brands, presenting these instead as opportunities to support an art career so long as creative practitioners are able to remain anchored in their own identity.

Navigating Galleries
Date: 13 February 2021
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Tutor: Yasmin Atassi
Session link

This session will explore how to navigate relationships with galleries, from
representation to expectations, and how to edit and curate what would be shown in a gallery. The session will also look at alternative ways of showcasing work (not relying solely on one kind of representation) and how these ways can strengthen and cement a career in the arts.

Forsa School: February Public Sessions

Forsa School

Forsa School is a new learning programme organised by Sharjah Art Foundation in collaboration with Naqd (Rania Jishi) and Nahla Tabbaa. Forsa School supports UAE-based artists, creatives and practitioners and provides them with the practical knowledge and professional skills needed to navigate the local art industry.

Forsa School: February Public Sessions

Forsa School: December Public Sessions

Launched by Sharjah Art Foundation in collaboration with Naqd (Rania Jishi) and Nahla Tabba, Forsa School supports the professional development of UAE-based artists, creatives and cultural practitioners through private and public seminars and one-on-one mentorship sessions that focus on the practical skills and knowledge needed to navigate the art industry.

Forsa School: February Public Sessions

Forsa School: January Public Sessions

Launched by Sharjah Art Foundation in collaboration with Naqd (Rania Jishi) and Nahla Tabba, Forsa School supports the professional development of UAE-based artists, creatives and cultural practitioners through private and public seminars and one-on-one mentorship sessions that focus on the practical skills and knowledge needed to navigate the art industry.

Forsa School: February Public Sessions

Forsa School: November Public Sessions

Launched by Sharjah Art Foundation in collaboration with Naqd (Rania Jishi) and Nahla Tabba, Forsa School supports the professional development of UAE-based artists, creatives and cultural practitioners through private and public seminars and one-on-one mentorship sessions that focus on the practical skills and knowledge needed to navigate the art industry.