Art Jameel: 20 Years Bridging Saudi Arabia and UAE

Founded in 2003 by the Jameel family, Art Jameel is a private foundation operating across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with a global mission to develop contemporary Middle Eastern art. It runs two main centers: Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai (focused on visual arts) and Hayy Jameel in Jeddah (spanning broader creative disciplines). The foundation supports artists through exhibitions, commissions, research, education, and community building. Long-standing partnerships include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Art Jameel is part of Community Jameel, which continues the philanthropic legacy of Abdul Latif Jameel, who began supporting local communities in the 1940s. The foundation emphasizes gender parity: 60% of staff and artists are women, and about half of the artists in the Art Jameel Collection are women. Educational programs range from primary school to postgraduate level, including film screenings at Hayy Cinema and annual Creative Careers Days in Dubai. Looking ahead, Art Jameel aims to become more sustainable by monitoring and reducing waste and emissions, placing the climate emergency at the core of its operations.