About Alserkal

Alserkal is a socially responsible and forward-thinking cultural enterprise dedicated to developing sustainable models for homegrown initiatives with a commitment to nurturing alternative ideas and impactful research with regional relevance. Founded in 2007 by Emirati businessman and patron Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, Alserkal is renowned for its ground-breaking artistic productions, experimental approach and for the creation of culturally meaningful spaces that inspire and shape communities. Alserkal has three primary areas of activity: cultivating a creative economy in Dubai and building a collaborative network of civic-cultural institutions through its renowned cultural district, Alserkal Avenue; providing advisory services to public and private sector entities; and, supporting public artist commissions, residencies, research grants and educational programmes through its non-profit, Alserkal Arts Foundation.

Alserkal has transformed the cultural landscape of Dubai and the UAE through the creation of a thriving, region-specific community of over 70 contemporary art galleries, visual and performing arts organisations, designers and entrepreneur-led businesses at Alserkal Avenue, providing an essential platform for the development of creative industries in the region.

Alserkal utilises its collective expertise in arts initiatives and cultural production, heritage creation, community building and engagement, as well as urbanism and planning for creative industries, to guide public and private sector entities in developing sustainable and responsive business models.

About Alserkal Arts Foundation

The Alserkal Arts Foundation supports socially engaged, multi-disciplinary practices and facilitates cross-cultural exchange through its four core initiatives: public art commissions, residencies, research grants and educational programmes.

Since our inception, Alserkal’s non-profit initiatives have grown at an organic pace, catering to homegrown audiences from the region and beyond. Over the past five years, we have set up a curated public art commissions programme, working with over 20 artists to date, supporting curators and practitioners whose projects are collaborative, participatory, and ephemeral. In 2017, Alserkal Residency was established for artistic experimentation and discursive exchange. By design, the Residency supports cultural practitioners in the process of experimentation and research, while also giving them the opportunity to engage with our context and networks. A research-driven platform that supports cultural practice, we help establish Dubai as a centre for cultural exchange in the region. To date, we have welcomed more than 23 residents across various disciplines, each carefully chosen by our Selection Committee.

Alserkal Arts Foundation was formally announced in March 2019, adding two additional pillars to its existing commitments: alternative learning programmes and research grants. We offer cultural practitioners–either based in Dubai, or whose practice critically investigates themes pertinent to the region's artistic community–opportunities for research, scholarship, and artistic production.

From the very beginning, partnerships have been an important dimension of Alserkal’s non-profit activities, forming collaborations with the Samdani Art Foundation, Victoria & Albert Museum, Hayward Gallery and others. Partnerships, co-commissions and collaborative projects will continue to play a vital role within the Foundation’s mission.

Essential Functions & Objectives

Working closely alongside the Production Assistant, the Production Executive is a full-time position with the Alserkal Arts Foundation team, supporting with public art commissions and the production needs of all our programmes. You must be passionate about working in the arts and with artists.

While your core activities and day-to-day tasks will rest within the Foundation team, this role requires coordination across the central Operations and Facilities Teams as well as with external collaborators and suppliers.

Public Art Commissions

The Foundation team develops and manages public art commissions across the Avenue or offsite. The commissions generally go live in March or November of each year and the prep work for their production and installation starts well in advance.

• Working closely with the Assistant Manager to support
• with research and planning
• Under supervision, managing the day-to-day admin and budget/finance tasks related to our projects
• Supporting with production and delivery of installation
• Work and report on the progress of production, installation and finally dismantling of a commission
• Developing technical drawings and 3D renderings of public art commissions
• Coordinating with fabricators and suppliers on producing samples
• Coordinating with freelancers, external contractors and personnel as needed
• Assisting with packing/storing/shipping artwork items (if needed)
• Support and research to help us ensure that our projects are as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible

Research Grants

The research grants programme provides research funding to interdisciplinary scholars, artists, writers and creative practitioners.

• Working closely with the Assistant Manager to develop, plan and implement the grants programme
• Under supervision, managing the day-to-day admin and budget/finance tasks related to our projects
• Assisting with logistics of the grants programme, including travel and hospitality as needed
• Assisting with all production-related aspects of our events

Residency Programme

AAF hosts two residency cycles per year, each with up to four residents. This role will support the Alserkal Arts Foundation team with hosting and managing programming for the residents.

• Working closely with Foundation team and residents to devise, produce and execute public programming
• Supporting the Foundation team to ensure that the studios and villa are fit for purpose and are well-maintained

Programming

A combination of shorter accessible events and workshops and ambitious and research-led colloquia, to bring engaged and diverse audiences to the foundation around the year.

• Support with preparing the space and any production related to the programming
• Supporting with hosting and logistics on the day of the event

General

The foundation team is responsible for their office space, the Common Room, residents' studios, Project Space and the accompanying storage spaces across Warehouses 50 and 51. We also manage a villa in Garhoud where the residents reside during their cycles in fall and spring, and is used for visitors throughout the year.

• Supervised by your manage, ensure the all our spaces are well maintained, coordinating with the facilities team as necessary
• Under supervision, managing the day-to-day admin and budget/finance tasks related to all our activities
• Checking and managing cleaning and repairs before and after residents or guests use them
• Supporting with hosting and logistics as needed
• Ensuring that environmental concerns are considered in all our projects
• Ensuring that health and safety guidelines are adhered to

Required skills + experience

• 1-3 years of work experience
• Design skills (architecture, interior design)
• Digital modeling and drawing skills - Autocad, Adobe Creative Cloud, Lumion, Enscape, Sketchup, Rhino
• Familiarity with online project management systems (Asana/Click Up)
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Must have a valid UAE driving licence and the means to get to sites/production facilities
• Work experience in the GCC or wider region desirable
• English necessary, Arabic/Hindi/Urdu desirable
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with artists and effectively as part of a team

• Self-motivated, with the ability to work within a constantly changing environment

Position type and expected hours of work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, from 10am to 6pm. Saturdays and overtime might be required during intense periods and/or during special projects and events.

This job description summarises the main key responsibilities of your role but there may be other reasonable requests made and other responsibilities included from time to time.

Those interested can write to with the following subject line:
Commissions Manager, Alserkal Arts Foundation -