NYU Abu Dhabi's Arts Centre Launches Third Cohort Of Numoo To Boost Local Talent

The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has unveiled the third edition of Numoo, an artist development initiative. This intensive programme aims to nurture and accelerate the growth of performing artists in the UAE, contributing significantly to the nation's arts ecosystem. Supported by grants from the U.S. Mission to the UAE since 2021, this edition runs from May through September 2024.

Bill Bragin, Executive Artistic Director at The Arts Center at NYUAD, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme. He said, "At The Arts Center, we are dedicated to nurturing the vibrant local artistic and cultural scene. For the third year in a row, Numoo will serve as a catalyst for creativity, empowering UAE-based artists to showcase their talents and develop their professional skills. I find participation in the Numoo workshops especially gratifying personally, as we watch artists have large and small epiphanies about how to approach their own career development with greater senses of agency and empowerment, in a mutually supportive community."

Numoo's curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of its participants. It includes refining and communicating an artistic vision, building teams and finding creative collaborators, budgeting and project management, understanding contracts and negotiation, intellectual property fundamentals, fundraising, developing technical specifications, crafting marketing strategies for projects, creating an artistic "brand," and developing project proposals.

Robin Solomon, Counsellor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. He stated, "The U.S. Mission to the UAE is thrilled to offer the Numoo programme once again in partnership with The Arts Centre at NYUAD to a talented third cohort of arts and culture professionals. Each year the thoughtful and substantive programme develops the practical business skills of local artists and creatives. The UAE’s creative industry is thriving, and we’re proud to sponsor Numoo in support of the local arts ecosystem."

Participants in Numoo come from various artistic disciplines including poetry, music, dance, choreography, writing, and theatre making. This diverse group benefits from learning different skills from professionals in their fields. They gain a comprehensive understanding of both local and international arts scenes.

The programme not only helps artists grow professionally but also provides them with tools to showcase their work within the UAE and beyond. It aims to build a sustainable artistic community that fosters ongoing development and collaboration among its members.

Hands-On Practical Skills

Numoo offers hands-on practical business skills tailored to each finalist's experience level. These skills help artists promote their careers effectively. The curriculum covers essential aspects such as refining artistic visions and communicating them clearly.

By participating in Numoo workshops, artists experience significant personal growth. They learn how to approach career development with greater agency and empowerment within a supportive community.

The current edition continues until September 2024. Through this initiative, NYUAD aims to strengthen the UAE's arts ecosystem by providing valuable resources for local artists' professional growth.

This initiative underscores NYUAD's commitment to fostering creativity within the UAE's vibrant cultural landscape while supporting individual artist development on multiple levels.

With inputs from WAM