Bill Bragin & Maya Allison | 10 years of The Arts Center
We’re kicking off the third season of the NYUAD Podcast with Bill Bragin, founding executive artistic director of The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi, and Maya Allison, founding executive director of The Art Galleries and senior research scholar and chief curator at New York University #AbuDhabi. They tell us all about what this year holds at NYUAD’s Arts Center with reflections on the legacy they’ve built so far and the local cultural eco-system that they’ve painstakingly nurtured. Maya and Bill invite us into their curatorial decision making, how they see their “local” context in Abu Dhabi, and what it took to speak to an audience that didn’t yet exist. From their biggest learning curves through to curating for an audience with wildly different reference points and cultural backgrounds, this conversation gives us a fascinating look at how the NYUAD Arts Center came to be the fixture of Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene that it is today. You'll also get a sneak peak of what to expect from this new season of performances and exhibitions at The Arts Center.
Bill Bragin is a leading figure in music and arts programming and is the first executive artistic director of The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi. Called “one of the most influential figures in the New York live-music business” by The New York Times, Bill brings extensive experience, creativity, and his own unique multidisciplinary vision to the role.
Connect with Bill 👉https://www.instagram.com/activecultures/
Maya Allison is the Chief Curator at NYU Abu Dhabi and founding Executive Director of the NYUAD Art Gallery and Project Space. Her background is in academic museums: she curated her first major exhibitions at The RISD Museum (Rhode Island School of Design), then served as curator of the Bell Gallery (Brown University). She was also director of the city-wide, international new media showcase Pixilerations, and of the 5 Traverse Gallery, all in the US. She holds an MFA from Columbia University, a BA in art history from Reed College, and continued her research on curatorial practice via a fellowship at Brown University’s Center for Public Humanities.
Connect with Maya 👉https://www.instagram.com/mayaallison2.0/?hl=en
afikra and The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi join forces to bring you captivating one-hour interviews with an array of talented performers and artists showcasing the rich tapestry of music, theater, drama and poetry. Step into the minds of these visionary creators as they delve into their craft, revealing the inspirations and stories behind their extraordinary performances.
The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi offers NYUAD compelling programming that connects to the curriculum and illuminates the scholarly pursuits of students and faculty. Its range of public programs aim to animate and enrich the cultural life of both the city of Abu Dhabi and the university through interaction. As a vibrant laboratory for performance that both presents and develops work, The Arts Center fosters a dynamic relationship between the arts, scholarship and community.
Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu
The Arts Center Podcast at NYUAD
afikra and The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi join forces to bring you captivating interviews with an array of talented performers and artists. From the mesmerizing melodies of Meklit Hadero to the electrifying movements of Herve Koubi, this podcast series showcases the rich tapestry of music, theater, drama and poetry, inviting you to step into the minds of these visionary creators.
