Director of Artist Residencies & International Studio Programmes

Director of Artist Residencies & International Studio ProgrammesArturo Palomba Gallery LLC📍 Dubai, United Arab EmiratesFull-Time | Permanent | On-siteCompensation & BenefitsAED 35,000–45,000 monthly fixed salaryAnnual performance bonus up to 20%Additional incentives linked to major international programmesUAE Employment Visa & Work PermitComprehensive medical insurance30 calendar days annual leaveAnnual return flight allowanceCompany laptop and mobile phoneInternational business travelParticipation in selected international exhibitions, art fairs and cultural programmesAnnual fixed compensation: AED 420,000–540,000Potential total annual compensation: approximately AED 500,000–650,000+About the RoleArturo Palomba Gallery LLC is seeking an experienced Director of Artist Residencies & International Studio Programmes to establish and lead an ambitious international platform for artist development, residencies and cross-cultural artistic exchange from Dubai.The successful candidate will develop programmes connecting artists, studios, galleries, museums, foundations, universities and cultural institutions across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.Dubai will serve as the international hub from which the Director develops residency and studio programmes in selected global locations.The objective is not simply to host artists.The Director will create programmes capable of generating new artistic production, international collaborations, exhibitions and long-term career opportunities for participating artists.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop the Gallery's global artist-residency strategyEstablish residency and studio programmes in Dubai and selected international locationsIdentify exceptional emerging and established artistsDevelop relationships with artists, studios and cultural institutionsBuild partnerships with international residency organisationsDevelop cross-cultural artist-exchange programmesCoordinate artist-selection processesDevelop opportunities for artists from Europe, the Middle East and AsiaCreate research and production programmesCoordinate studios, production facilities and local partnersDevelop relationships with foundations supporting artistic productionDevelop collaborations with museums and universitiesOrganise studio visits and open-studio programmesConnect participating artists with collectors, curators and institutionsDevelop exhibitions resulting from residency projectsCoordinate artist talks and private presentationsDevelop international residency exchangesManage programme budgets and schedulesIdentify sponsorship and institutional-support opportunitiesRepresent the Gallery within international artist and cultural networksMonitor the artistic and professional development of participating artistsInternational ScopeThe Dubai office will coordinate programmes and relationships across:UAE · Saudi Arabia · Qatar · Europe · Central Asia · India · China · Japan · South Korea · Southeast AsiaParticular attention will be given to creating meaningful exchanges between Middle Eastern and international artists.Experience RequiredCandidates should have 8+ years of relevant professional experience, preferably within:Artist ResidenciesInternational Art GalleriesMuseumsArt FoundationsCultural InstitutionsArtist DevelopmentBiennialsInternational Cultural ProgrammesUniversities and Art AcademiesCandidate ProfileThe successful candidate should demonstrate:8+ years of relevant professional experienceStrong understanding of contemporary artExperience working directly with artistsInternational network across the cultural sectorProven programme-development experienceExperience managing international cultural projectsStrong project and budget-management capabilitiesAbility to identify promising artistic practicesExcellent relationship-management skillsExperience working across different culturesStrong presentation and communication abilitiesEntrepreneurial approach to developing new programmesProfessional working proficiency in EnglishArabic is highly desirableFrench, Italian, German, Russian or Mandarin are valuable additional languagesAvailability to work full-time on-site in DubaiAvailability for frequent international travelIdeal CandidateWe are looking for someone capable of transforming Dubai into a genuine meeting point for artists from different international art ecosystems.The successful candidate should understand that an effective residency is more than providing an artist with a studio.It should generate research, production, professional relationships, institutional exposure and opportunities that would not otherwise have existed.The ideal candidate will combine artistic judgement with the organisational and international relationship skills required to build these programmes from the ground up.Performance ObjectivesThe variable compensation will be linked to measurable objectives including:International residency programmes establishedQuality of participating artistsInstitutional partners developedNew international locations activatedArtist projects successfully completedExhibitions generatedMuseum and foundation collaborationsSponsorship and external support developedProgramme budget performanceInternational visibilityLong-term development of participating artistsReporting StructureReports directly to: Founder / CEOWorks closely with the Gallery's artistic, curatorial, institutional, commercial and communications teams.Career DevelopmentExceptional performance may lead to:Global Head of Artist Development & International Residencieswith responsibility for the Gallery's complete international artist-development platform.How to ApplyPlease apply directly through LinkedIn.Candidates should submit:Updated CVRelevant gallery, museum, foundation or residency experienceSelection of significant artist programmes personally developedBrief description of an international artist-residency or studio programme they have previously managedConfidential information relating to artists, institutions or previous employers should not be disclosed.