Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi & Jack Persekian

Founded in 1993, the Sharjah Biennial has become one of the defining events in the Arab cultural calendar. Hoor Al-Qasimi has been director of the biennial since 2002 and is largely responsible for shifting its focus from traditional arts to contemporary productions. Persekian, artistic director of the 7th Biennial in 2005, is currently director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, which seeks to expand and build on the cultural legacy of the biennial through residencies, production and education programmes. The Sheikha is also a patron of Art Dubai, and between them they are establishing a position as gatekeepers to the riches (both intellectual and financial) of the Arab art scene.