A R T E D U C AT O R S R E S I D E N CY
SEPTEMBER 2019 • DUBAI, UAE
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
In September 2019, ARTIST RESIDENCY.co successfully launched its specialized academic initiative: the GAIN & DELIVER Program in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Recognizing that global contemporary art movements are fundamentally passed down through institutional mentorship, this custom two-week residency shifted its focus from emerging studio practitioners to the foundational guides of creative practice—the art faculty and educators.
The two-week intensive program brought selected distinguished fine art teachers from prestigious Pakistani universities into the heart of the UAE’s contemporary arts landscape. Designed around an architectural structure of peer exchange and immersive observation, the residency catalyzed dialogue regarding curriculum modernization, gallery practices, and pedagogical approaches across borders.
SELECTED ART EDUCATORS
Two key visual arts educators from prominent educational hubs in Pakistan were appointed to participate in the 2019 exchange framework:
SELECTED EDUCATOR
Wajahit Ali
GC University Faisalabad, Pakistan
SELECTED EDUCATOR
Raza Ur Rehman
GC Women University Sialkot, Pakistan
THE STRUCTURAL PILLARS:
The residency’s operational blueprint was strictly guided by its dual mandate, forcing an equilibrium between immediate creative ingestion and subsequent strategic distribution:
THE “GAIN” OBJECTIVE: Educators dedicated the initial phase to deep cultural research and professional absorption. This involved examining landmark UAE art infrastructures (such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s architectural and curatorial methodologies), conducting studio visits with international practitioners, and networking with regional design curators to collect global benchmark strategies.
THE “DELIVER” OBJECTIVE: The second phase focused directly on implementation strategies. Participants converted their experiential data into modern lesson modules, curriculum adaptations, and practical workshops. These frameworks were designed to be deployed back within their respective universities in Faisalabad and Sialkot, directly benefiting local art students.
Global Pedagogical Benchmarks: Analyzing how international institutions present heritage alongside ultra-modern installations, providing actionable case studies for classroom instruction.
Sustained Academic Channels: Establishing professional bridges between UAE cultural networks and Pakistani public art faculties to ensure long-term collaborative opportunities