The Venice Biennale is a 126-year-old International Exhibition of Art of the City of Venice where the goal is to promote one’s art without the distinction of country. The first Biennale, achieved worldwide recognition and hosted more than 200,000 visitors and artists from 16 different countries, united by their passion for creative arts.
Following in the tradition, Emirati creatives as interns at the Venice Biennale grow and flourish as interns to broaden their careers and change their lives. Sarah Al-Agrooba was one of the first multidisciplinary artists, curators, and educators to participate in the UAE National Pavilion’s internship program during the La Biennale di Venezia in 2011. Today, she is the Senior Interpretation Specialist in the education department at the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi and works time as an adjunct professor at Zayed University teaching graphic and art foundation.
The program here at Venice Biennale catalyzes anyone pursuing a creative arts career. Conceived to provide Emiratis and longtime UAW residents aged 21 and above in Venice, the program takes in around 200 interns. These interns are passionate about arts, diplomacy, and architecture, which finally leads them to work in prominent positions in art and culture.
As an intern, Al-Agrooba remembers the freedom given to them to be curious and flexible to explore it as they saw fit.
Al-Agroobi is also the founder of The Letters Project. This online platform aims to bring anonymous letters into the spotlight that speak for the anthropological and socio-cultural climate of the Arab region. Her work as a co-curator and collaborator with grassroots initiatives such as the Banat Collective and Samt have created communities that represent spaces for artists to discuss and practice with high regard for womanhood in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Finally, she is happy with her decision, and says,
“I really took full advantage of being able to navigate the art sphere and set a solid foundation in my career path,”