What motivated you to pursue an MA at Sotheby’s Institute, and how did your experience shape your perspective on the art world?

In my senior year at OCAD University, I was unsure of my next step until a friend mentioned Sotheby’s Institute. Looking back, it was exactly what I needed.

The program exposed me to every facet of the art world, both academically and through hands-on experiences, which broadened my perspective and helped shape a clear direction within the industry.

What were the most valuable skills you gained during the program, and how do you apply them in your career?

The most valuable skills I gained were collection management, public speaking, and business development within an artistic context. I apply them constantly—whether advising collectors, curating exhibitions, presenting to audiences, or developing programs that bridge creativity with market insight.

Can you describe your current role and how the knowledge or experiences from the MA in Art Business support your responsibilities?

I’m the founder of Nasij Art Advisory and Dubai’s Young Collectors Circle, where I focus on curating exhibitions, developing educational programming, and guiding emerging collectors.

My MA provided me with a holistic understanding of the art ecosystem, which I draw on daily as I balance artistic integrity with market dynamics, cultivate meaningful relationships across the industry, and support thoughtful, long-term approaches to collection building.

What inspired you to establish Dubai’s Young Collectors Circle, and what impact do you hope it will have on the region’s growing art ecosystem?

I founded Dubai’s Young Collectors Circle after noticing a gap in the market for young collectors in a city filled with emerging professionals. Collecting can often feel intimidating or inaccessible, so my goal was to create a platform that demystifies the process and offers access, context, and confidence.

By fostering meaningful engagement, I hope to support a new community of collectors who contribute to artists, galleries, and institutions—ultimately strengthening the region’s growing cultural ecosystem.

How is Dubai’s Young Collectors Circle helping to shape a new generation of collectors and cultural patrons in the Middle East?

By offering hands-on educational tours, studio visits, and conversations with artists and gallerists, we equip young collectors with the vocabulary, context, and confidence they need to collect thoughtfully. We’re building a community rooted in curiosity, stewardship, and regional cultural support.

Collecting is changing rapidly with globalisation, digital platforms and cultural shifts. What insights from your MA experience helped you navigate the evolving art-market ecosystem?

My MA emphasized critical thinking and adaptability—two skills that are essential in a landscape shaped by digital sales, shifting tastes, and new collecting behaviors. Understanding how value is constructed, perceived, and preserved has been especially helpful as the market becomes more global and decentralized.

What has been the lasting value of the program for you—whether in terms of professional opportunities, intellectual growth, or personal perspective?

The lasting value has been the network, the exposure to diverse perspectives, and the confidence to build my own path within the art world. It broadened the way I think about cultural responsibility, legacy, and supporting artists, and it continues to shape how I show up professionally.

What advice or tips would you give to Sotheby’s Institute applicants?

Stay curious, build genuine relationships, and take advantage of every opportunity outside the classroom. The art world thrives on dialogue and community—immerse yourself, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to carve out your own space.

Image courtesy of Nasij.