Applications are open for the National Pavilion UAE's 2017 Venice Internship at la Biennale di Venezia

Opportunity for emerging arts professionals to spend one month in Venice staffing the UAE’s art exhibition at the prestigious Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale), May 13th – November 26th, 2017

Dubai, UAE, October 30, 2016:  Applications are open for the 2017 edition of the Venice Internship of the National Pavilion United Arab Emirates (UAE) - la Biennale di Venezia. The yearly internship program offers emerging arts professionals the opportunity to spend one month in Venice staffing the UAE’s exhibition at la Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale), which runs from May 13th to November 26th, 2017 (vernissage May 10th to 12th). Those interested can apply on the National Pavilion UAE’s website by November 30, 2016.

The 2017 Venice Internship program is open to Emiratis and long-term residents of the UAE aged 21 and above, with an interest or background in arts and architecture. Selected interns will undergo an educational training program developed in partnership with leading cultural institutions in the UAE, ahead of a one-month deployment to Venice during the Biennale. The selected Interns will also participate in an education program while in Venice created in partnership with Ca’ Foscari University and other cultural institutions.  The interns will act as the custodians and docents of the National Pavilion UAE and get hands-on experience overseeing the daily operations of the exhibition. The National Pavilion UAE - la Biennale di Venezia is commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.

“The National Pavilion UAE’s internship program offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the cultural sector to develop their skills and experience at a high-profile international event such as the Venice Biennale,” says Laila Binbrek, Co-ordinating Director, National Pavilion UAE. “The ongoing success of this program reflects the National Pavilion UAE’s commitment to supporting the arts and architectural practices of the UAE by providing training and opportunities for the emerging generation of professionals in the field, who bring this expertise back to the UAE after their internships and into their careers. Each year our interns make a meaningful contribution to the smooth running of the exhibition, and we are very pleased to provide a platform for these young people to develop their skills and to see them go on to contribute in diverse ways to the UAE’s cultural landscape.”

Since its inaugural participation at the Venice Biennale, the National Pavilion UAE has worked with over 150 interns, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful careers in the arts.

The International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most prestigious arts events and brings together countries from around the world, attracting more than half a million visitors to each edition. 

2017 will mark the UAE’s fifth participation in the International Art Exhibition, which runs from May 13th to November 26th, 2017 (vernissage May 10th to 12th). Hammad Nasar, curator, writer and currently Head of Research and Programmes at Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong, has been appointed to curate the UAE’s exhibition for 2017, which will explore aspects of play in contemporary art practice in the Emirates.

The National Pavilion UAE will also participate in the 2016 edition of Abu Dhabi Art, November 16th – 19th, 2016, with a booth in the Community section where former interns will be available to discuss the application process and their experiences at the Venice Biennale.

For more information and to apply to the 2017 edition of the Venice Internship, visit nationalpavilionuae.org/venice-internship. Applications close on November 30th 2016.