Mission and Vision:
The Art of Giving: A Vision for Philanthropic Engagement
At Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, our philanthropic initiatives focus on empowering future generations, supporting UAE-based artists, and expanding access to arts education and scholarship. The Art of Giving is structured around four key pillars: Scholarships, Research & Publishing, Residencies & Commissions and Education.
Scholarship Program
The BFAF Scholars Program supports emerging Emirati talent through research internships, mentorship, and academic scholarships in fields such as cultural leadership, museum studies, and fine arts.
Former Internship Experience:
- Student Internship Programme: An educational initiative designed to provide secondary school students with hands-on experience in the day-to-day operations of an art foundation. Through structured training, interns are introduced to the fundamentals of exhibition curation, guided tours, social media strategy, visual design, and collections care. The programme nurtures key skills such as communication, storytelling, and creative thinking, while fostering a deeper understanding of cultural institutions and their role in the community.
Research & Publishing Grant
This grant supports in-depth research and publications on Emirati artists, helping preserve their legacies and enrich global art history.
Ongoing Project:
- Through Their Eyes: A flagship monograph series where artists narrate their life stories through selected artworks, supported by curatorial and academic essays, archival materials, and studio photography. The series features pioneering, mid-career, and emerging Emirati artists.
Residencies & Commissions
This pillar supports new artistic production through residencies and commissions that reflect regional narratives and contemporary practice.
Examples
- Creative Contest: Participants reimagined the Foundation’s architecture, with winners exhibited in the Educational Gallery.
- The Art Circle Award: An annual platform celebrating emerging UAE-based artists through themed exhibitions that promote creative exploration and cultural dialogue.
- The Art Circle: Studio Sessions: Regular artist-led workshops in the Foundation’s studio space, offering hands-on creative experiences in collaboration with The Art Circle.
Education
BFAF offers inclusive education programmes that engage students, professionals, and the wider public. These initiatives span lectures, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and partnerships with schools
Past Initiatives:
- Cranleigh Student Focus Exhibition: in partnership with Cranleigh School, BFAF hosted a four-day workshop
series designed to engage students aged 14–16 in a guided exploration of
Figurative Realism, Figurative Abstraction, and Pure Abstraction. Each session offered hands-on experiences in art-making, culminating in a curatorial talk by Dr. Michaela Watrelot.The programme concluded with a student exhibition in BFAF’s Educational Programme
- ADEK Creative Career Series
In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), Bassam Freiha Art Foundation launched a monthly educational series introducing high school students to careers in the creative industries.
To date, the programme has welcomed eight groups of students (approximately 22 per group) from local Charter Schools. Each session combines a lecture and hands-on workshop led by professionals from fields such as photography, fine arts, curatorial practice, and gallery operations.
The Public Workshops Programme at Bassam Freiha Art Foundation is a free and inclusive initiative that invites participants of all backgrounds to engage with art in hands-on, accessible ways. From painting and embroidery to writing, candle making, and more, the workshops are designed to spark creativity and build community through shared artistic experiences.
Open to adults and children alike, sessions range from beginner-friendly introductions to more advanced offerings for experienced artists. With a focus on accessibility, exploration, and cultural learning, the programme fosters meaningful connections between art and everyday life.
The Lectures and Panel Discussions programme at Bassam Freiha Art Foundation is an ongoing initiative designed to foster dialogue around art history, contemporary practices, and the art market. These sessions feature conversations with artists, curators, collectors, and cultural leaders, offering insight into the evolving landscape of the arts.
Open to a wide audience—including students, professionals, and the general public—this programme serves as a platform for cultural exchange, intellectual enrichment, and community engagement.
Family Studio Initiative:
- Creative Connections: Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (BFAF), in collaboration with FiA – Institute for Inclusion / Access for All for the first time, announces the launch of Family Studio, a new concept designed to support cultural participation and family wellbeing for families of determination.Taking place monthly at BFAF’s educational, Family Studio offers a dedicated space where children, youth, and adults of determination engage in shared creative experiences with their families. The format responds to a growing need for inclusive, low-stress environments where families can connect meaningfully across generations, outside of clinical or educational settings.