A living hub for the people of Palestine — those who shaped it, and those who stood with it.

Suggest a profile
Portrait of Mai Abu ElDahab

Mai Abu ElDahab

Cairo-born curator and director of Mophradat

Friend of PalestineNot Palestinian, and stood with Palestine
Born in
Cairo, Egypt
Read Mai’s storyAsk about Mai

Why Mai is here

Mai Abu ElDahab is a prominent curator whose work has significantly expanded the presence and influence of contemporary Arab and Palestinian art on the global stage.

Their story

Mai Abu ElDahab is a curator from Cairo and director of Mophradat, an organization supporting artists from the Arab world. She directed Objectif Exhibitions in Antwerp from 2007 to 2012 and co-curated the 2014 Liverpool Biennial. Since 2015 she has led Mophradat, whose programmes include Living Stipends for Palestine, supporting Palestinian artists affected by war.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Mai’s path.

  1. 2007-2012

    Became Director of Objectif Exhibitions, Antwerp

    Her tenure at this non-profit art space marked the beginning of her influence in the global art scene, where she curated groundbreaking solo exhibitions for emerging international artists.

    Read more

  2. 2014

    Co-Curator of Liverpool Biennial

    This prestigious role highlighted her ability to bring Arab and Palestinian art into significant global conversations, promoting underrepresented voices.

    Read more

  3. 2015

    Appointed Director of Mophradat

    Under her leadership, Mophradat has become a vital platform for supporting Arab artists, including those from Palestine, through grants, residencies, and collaborative projects that have a profound impact on the Arab cultural landscape.

    Read more

  4. Living Stipends for Palestine

    Mophradat established grants supporting Palestinian artists whose livelihoods were affected by war.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Supporting Palestinian Artists

    Through Mophradat, Abu ElDahab has provided critical resources and platforms for Palestinian artists, helping them sustain their practices and gain international recognition.

  2. Curatorial Innovation

    Her work has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional curatorial practices, introducing new formats and approaches that emphasize collaboration, experimentation, and critical engagement with social issues.

  3. Promoting Arab Contemporary Art

    Abu ElDahab has played a key role in bringing contemporary Arab and Palestinian art to the forefront of the global art scene, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the richness of Arab cultural production.

  4. Educational Contributions

    Through publications and speaking engagements, she has contributed to the education of a new generation of artists and curators, particularly in the Arab world, fostering a deeper understanding of contemporary art’s role in society.

  5. Advocacy for Cultural Justice

    Abu ElDahab’s initiatives, such as the "Dis-enabling Spaces" program, have addressed critical issues like sexual violence in the arts, promoting safer and more equitable cultural spaces, including for Palestinian artists.

Ask about Mai

Curious about something? An AI guide answers from Mai’s profile.

Mai’s guide AI

Answers come from Mai’s profile on this page. It isn’t Mai, and it can make mistakes.

What would you like to know about Mai?

Ask in your own words about Mai’s early life, work, the moments that shaped them, or their legacy. The guide answers only from this profile, so if something isn’t covered, it will tell you.

AI-generated from this profile. Spotted something wrong? Correct or add information.

Further reading

Something wrong or missing?

Help improve Mai Abu ElDahab’s profile. Send a correction, a source, a photo or missing information. An editor checks every update before publication.

Correct or add information

Keep exploring

More faces from Arts

All 44 in Arts