Art Lovers Will Love What NYUAD Has Planned This Season

As the weather cools and the creative energy of the UAE heats up…

The Arts Center at NYUAD and The NYUAD Art Gallery present a vibrant season of performances, screenings and exhibitions

From exciting live shows to inspiring exhibitions, this season offers something for everyone — all made possible by NYU Abu Dhabi’s vibrant arts community.

A Shakespearean Classic, Reclaimed

The season opens with a bold, African adaptation of Othello from Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre Centre, directed by award-winning Lara Foot. Set against the historical backdrop of German colonialism in Namibia, this multilingual reimagining (in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa) explores Othello’s internal world through a powerful decolonial lens. It also echoes NYUAD’s academic strength in Global Shakespeare studies.

When: October 9-10, 7:30PM
Where: The Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYUAD
Price: Starting from AED 52.50. BOOK HERE

Ala Younis: Excavating Arab Histories

In Past of a Temporal Universe, artist-researcher-curator Ala Younis traces 20 years of work across installation, textiles and archival materials. From Amman to international biennials, Younis explores the narrative and urban histories of the Arab world. A recent al Mawrid scholar at NYUAD, her work bridges personal memory and collective identity, offering audiences a deeply layered visual experience.

When: September 23 until January 18, 12-8PM
Where: The Arts Gallery
Price: Free! Learn more about the exhibition here

Happy Holidays by Scandar Copti

Palestinian filmmaker Scandar Copti screens Happy Holidays, winner of the Orizzonti Award at the Venice Film Festival, exploring a Palestinian family’s life after the Nakba. “Sharing it through CinemaNa at The Arts Center at NYUAD feels like bringing the film home,” says Copti, who also teaches film at NYUAD. A post-screening Q&A offers deeper insight into the personal and political layers of the film.

When: October 14, 7:30PM
Where: The Blue Hall, The Arts Center at NYUAD
Price: Starting from AED 15. BOOK HERE

CineOlio’s Cinenights

Curated by Nawaf Al Janahi, this evening of international short films spans Australia to Algeria, exploring themes of memory, resilience and connection. Highlights include DreamLink, Into the Night, and My Driver and I by Fatima Al-Banawi, a touching tribute to friendship, independence and everyday bonds.

When: October 28, 7:30PM
Where: The Blue Hall, The Arts Center at NYUAD
Price: Starting from AED 15. BOOK HERE

Whether you’re drawn to bold theatre, independent cinema or cutting-edge visual art, NYU Abu Dhabi offers a cultural calendar like no other in the UAE — one that is locally rooted and globally connected!

Important bits

The Arts Center at NYUAD and The NYUAD Art Gallery have plenty more to come this season. Keep an eye out for more shows, films and exhibitions!