The Arts Club Dubai names artists for its first residency programme
A First for The Arts Club Dubai
After an open call that drew nearly a hundred applicants, The Arts Club Dubai has revealed the two artists selected for its inaugural Artist Residency Programme: Salmah Almansoori and Sylvia Ong.
The six-month residency begins on 27 October 2025 and will support both artists with funding, mentorship and a final exhibition in April 2026.
The new initiative is designed to nurture early-career artists in the UAE, offering them the time, space and guidance to develop their practice beyond the fast pace of everyday studio life. Out of 99 submissions, Almansoori and Ong were chosen through a meticulous four-stage selection process led by the Club’s residency committee.
The panel also acknowledged six talented finalists for honourable mention:
Jude Maharmeh, Zahra Jewanjee, Mary Claire Kirwan, Noor Bseiso, Samo Shalaby, and Iryna Yermolova.
“This first phase of the Artist Residency Programme represents a significant step in our commitment to supporting emerging talent from the region,” said Ajaz Sheikh, Group CEO of The Arts Club Dubai. “Welcoming Salmah and Sylvia reflects not only the diversity of artistic practice in Dubai but the spirit of the city itself. It also underscores the dual nature of the Club’s identity: deeply rooted in the local landscape, while connected to the wider international art world.”
He continued: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our committee for their care, and commitment in shaping this first residency. Their guidance has been invaluable in helping us establish a thoughtful foundation, one we look forward to building upon in the years ahead.”
Spotlight on Salmah Almansoori and Sylvia Ong
Emirati artist Salmah Almansoori works across drawing, painting and photography, weaving together themes of landscape and cultural memory. Her proposal impressed the committee with its conceptual clarity and authenticity of vision. A graduate of Zayed University, she has recently exhibited in Dubai, Ventimiglia and at Abu Dhabi Art.
Born in Malaysia, Sylvia Ong brings a distinctive approach to abstract painting, known for her refined compositions and sensitivity to colour and form. Based in Dubai, Ong has held solo exhibitions in Brussels and Paris, and the committee noted she is at an exciting turning point in her practice - one that the residency aims to nurture through mentorship and dialogue.
The Arts Club Dubai’s Artist Residency Programme takes a broad, inclusive view of what it means to be “emerging,” focusing not on age or visibility, but on curiosity, discipline and openness to growth. It’s an exciting step for the Club and a promising new chapter for the UAE’s art community.
Visit: theartsclub.ae
Hayley is passionate about everything 90s, from art and fashion to music. Her love for glossy, artful coffee table books started early during her days in book publishing and has only grown since. She collects luxury magazines from around the world, enjoys exploring creative workshops around the city, and always chases dinners with a view, preferably by the beach.
