The Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar co-hosted the 53rd annual congress of the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art (IKT) from April 8–14, 2025, in collaboration with the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, marking the event’s first-ever edition in the Gulf region. The congress brought together curators, museum directors, and leading figures in contemporary art for a dynamic exchange of ideas on curation, digital innovation, and artistic practice.
The weeklong program began in Doha at Northwestern Qatar (April 8–10) before moving to Abu Dhabi (April 11–12), Dubai (April 13), and Sharjah (April 14). Participants engaged in a curated series of exhibitions, symposiums, studio visits, and guided tours, which together offered a rare opportunity for collaboration and dialogue among the curatorial delegates and the region’s foremost art institutions and professionals.
“Hosting the 53rd IKT Congress at Northwestern Qatar is an exciting moment for us that reflects our dedication to creating a space where creativity, community, and collaboration thrive,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “This congress gives curators, museum directors, and artists the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas on curation, digital innovation, and artistic practice. It’s not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about building relationships and contributing to a global conversation. We are proud to play a part in that, bringing together such inspiring minds and strengthening our role in advancing a more collaborative and dynamic cultural exchange.”
Maya Allison, executive director of the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, noted, “Co-hosting the IKT Congress visit to the UAE feels deeply meaningful. We’ve gathered an incredible group of curators and cultural thinkers, and the conversations we’re having are timely and important. It’s not only about curatorial practice—it’s about how we connect with communities, how we adapt to change, and how we imagine the future of art and its contexts in this region and beyond.”
As part of the Doha programming, the Media Majlis Museum hosted a two-part symposium titled “Disrupture: Perspectives from the Arabian Peninsula,” examining how curators, artists, and institutions in the Gulf contributed to contemporary discourse. Dean Kraidy delivered the opening remarks, followed by a keynote address, “Beyond Center and Periphery,” by artist Oraib Toukan, and two panel discussions, each offering diverse perspectives on contemporary curation.
The first panel, “Museums in the Making,” chaired by Zeina Arida, director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, explored the development of museum spaces and their impact on artistic and cultural engagement. Panelists Sheikha Alanood Al Thani, Lina Ramadan, Meriam Berrada, and Caroline Hancock shared insights on institutional growth and innovation.
The second panel, “Unlearning and Relearning,” led by Alfredo Cramerotti, director of The Media Majlis Museum and IKT president, examined shifting approaches to curation. Featuring speakers Tirdad Zolghadr, Nadine Khalil, Effat Fadag, Holiday Powers, and Miguel Blanco-Carrasco, the discussion explored new curatorial methodologies and the changing relationship between museums, artists, and audiences.
Cramerotti underscored the significance of the event, saying, “Art, curating knowledge, and interdisciplinarity were at the core of the Media Majlis Museum. It was an honor to explore these topics in the Gulf context with esteemed guests and international curators.” He added, “The IKT Congress 2025 offered a valuable platform for gaining new perspectives and addressing critical issues central to our museum’s work and exhibitions. This event presented a significant opportunity for growth, and we were proud to be part of it, hosted in Doha at Northwestern University in Qatar in partnership with Qatar Museums, as well as in the UAE, hosted by NYU Abu Dhabi alongside key cultural institutions across three major cities.”
The second half of the symposium opened in the UAE at NYU Abu Dhabi, welcoming the 90 international curators for a series of conversations, collaborations, and critical reflections on the UAE’s fast-evolving cultural landscape. The day began with a keynote address by Her Excellency Manal Ataya, museums advisor to the Sharjah Museums Authority, followed by a series of rapid-fire case studies featuring leaders from across the UAE’s cultural sector.
Speakers included Salwa Mikdadi, director of Al Mawrid Arab Center for the Study of Art; Bana Kattan, curator at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; Stephanie Rosenthal, project director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; Vilma Jurkute, executive director of Alserkal Initiatives; Munira Al Sayegh, founder of Dirwaza Lab; and Pradeep Sharma, director of arts, culture and heritage for the Salaman Foundation, as well as 18 leaders of the UAE cultural sector. The conversations explored how curators in the UAE are rethinking institutional models, forging new forms of collaboration, and expanding the role of art in public life.
The Media Majlis Museum reflects Northwestern Qatar’s commitment to holistic education by advancing cultural exchange through exhibitions that blend scholarship, art, and media. Its collaboration with the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery to present this important IKT Congress 2025 would not have been possible without the support of the following partners: Qatar Museums’ Fire Station Gallery, Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar, and Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, as well as Alserkal Avenue, BLR World and Barker Langham, Italian Cultural Institute Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Art Foundation, Warehouse 421, Barjeel Art Foundation, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Jameel Art Centre and Jameel Arts, Ishara Art Foundation & Prabhakar Collection, Barjeel Art Foundation, Maraya Art Center, and MIZA.