The Courtyard

In a city that's ever-shifting, there's something reassuring in the stability of The Courtyard, a community centre and social hub that evolved organically in many ways, coming into existence as a response to the wants and desires that flowed from the surrounding community. It arrived at a time during the early 1990s when opportunities to interact with art and creatives in the UAE were scant—a time when artists sought spaces for their creative endeavours, and expatriates familiar with cultural scenes in London, New York, Paris, Damascus, Beirut, Tehran, and Bombay craved a place to connect with culture and like-minded individuals on their home turf.

The Courtyard is a shared story, the open house of Shaqayeq and Dariush, partners both in life and work, who found a connection rooted in a shared appreciation for preservation and environmental consciousness. Raised with a sense of mindfulness for their surroundings and a commitment to minimising waste. This shared ethos permeates every facet of The Courtyard, from its design predominantly relying on natural and repurposed materials to its day-to-day operations. Whether engaging with new friends, installing the latest exhibition or finding a place for the latest salvaged treasure, Shaqayeq and Dariush are deeply intertwined with the pulse of The Courtyard. It's no wonder that faces integral to the fabric of the centre since the very first day can still be encountered there.