The National Pavilion UAE – La Biennale di Venezia curates untold stories about the UAE’s arts and architecture and provides a high-profile platform for curatorial concepts that address critical international conversations from a distinctive local perspective.
For each annual edition of the Art and Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, one of the world’s most significant and rigorous cultural platforms, the National Pavilion UAE appoints and works with curators, artists and contributors to conceive, research and develop an exhibition and accompanying publication that advance and preserve understanding of the UAE’s cultural landscape.
Since 2009, its exhibitions have explored the nation’s cultural evolution from 20th century experimental artists to the diverse contemporary scene. In 2019, the National Pavilion UAE presented an acclaimed installation exploring geographic and psychological displacement from filmmaker Nujoom Alghanem, and in 2021, architects and curators Wael Al Awar and Kenichi Teramoto presented research into an innovative sustainable cement alternative inspired from salt minerals found in the UAE’s Sabkha heritage sites, was awarded the Golden Lion for best National Participation at La Biennale Architettura 2021.
In parallel with its exhibitions in Venice, the National Pavilion UAE engages with communities in the UAE to support the growth of the local cultural and creative industries, through public programming and professional opportunities. Alongside an extensive pool of artists, curators, researchers and partners who have contributed to its exhibitions over the years, the UAE’s Venice Internship program has provided training and hands-on experience to more than 190 interns, many of whom are now working successfully in cultural fields.
The National Pavilion UAE is an independent non-profit organisation, commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth.
REQUIRMENTS AND SCOPE OF WORK IN VENICE
Applicants should be:
— Emirati or long-term residents
— Over 21 years old
— Hold a Bachelor of Arts, Architecture and/or other related majors.
— Must speak, read and write Arabic and English fluently.
— Available to travel for up to 30 days (with written consent from parents).
Interns will be sent to Venice in groups of 2 or 3 people, on a 30-day rotation from May 2014.
— Costs covered by the Venice Internship include Schengen visa, return ticket to Venice (economy), travel insurance, accommodation, civic museum pass (access to 10 major institutions), team meals, per diem.
— Interns will be required to attend mandatory training sessions prior to their departure. Failure to participate in training will result in termination from the program.
— An Italian intern will join the group in Venice.
Once in Venice interns will be tasked with the following:
EXHIBITION MANAGEMENT
— Maintaining in the integrity of the artworks in display
— Ensure that pavilion artwork is kept in pristine exhibition condition, report any faults to National Pavilion’s office and supervise any cleaning/repairs done by designated fine-art specialists
— Monitoring, reporting and facilitating the repair of any technical faults
— Ensure that pavilion equipment is turned on and off each day, that equipment is kept in good working condition, report any faults to technical company and ensure that equipment is duly and quickly repaired/replaced
— Maintaining the integrity of the exhibition
— Ensure that the pavilion is always neat and tidy. Tidy furniture and ensure dust is kept off artwork, equipment and furniture, supervise cleaning (by Biennale-appointed cleaners).
— Opening and closing the exhibition everyday
VISITORS SERVICES
— Running guided tours of the works when requested to
— Greeting visitors and providing basic to comprehensive information about the National Pavilion of the UAE – its inception, concept, collaborators, sponsors, etc. These tours will follow a fixed format devised by the curator and exhibition director.
— Presenting themselves as friendly and willing to assist guests at all times
— Logging of specific enquiries and ensuring feedback to the National Pavilion’s office (UAE)
MARKETING AND PR
— Event management support – running errands, packing and giving out press kits/information packs/VIP gifts, identifying/registering/greeting/guiding guests to waiting area, etc.
— PR for the National Pavilion and social networking.
— Document/Photograph/Video the Pavilion events and record audience feedback on the pavilion
— Updates for the National Pavilion’s website
— Coordinate with pavilion collaborators on the interactive components and manage any contribution from the public
— Report if anything damaging is posted to social networking sites.
— Maintain filing system to document all PR materials as they are released in the UAE
— Market research coordination
— Keep count of how many visitors we get a day, enquiries pertaining to particular artwork/artists/ components/catalogues, etc
EDUCATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS
— Interns will submit a weekly assignment whilst in Venice based on written critiques of the Biennale, museums and other aspects of their experience in Venice.
